
Class. 
Book. 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



/ 




niGHIGAN: 



ITS 



£k 



Geography, History, RnsoaROES 



AND 



GiviL Government. 





MICHIGAN: 



GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY. 
RESOURCES 



GIl/IL GOUERMMENT. 



By F'. M.r'KENDHLL. 



GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. 
EATON. LYON & ALLEN PRINTING CO. 






Copyright. 1890, 
By F. M. KENDALL. 



PREFAGE. 



For many years the course in Geography in the Public 
Schools in Grand Rapids has been supplemented, in the 
Eighth Grade, by a special study of our own state ; and a 
pamphlet prepared by the Commissioner of Immigration in 
1881, entitled, " Michigan and Its Resources," was used for 
this purpose. 

After the distribution of the third edition, in 1884, the 
State ceased to publish the pamphlet, and, in time, it became 
necessary to provide a substitute for it or abandon the special 
study of Michigan. 

Accordingly, the Eighth Grade teachers assisted in the 
hasty compilation of a pamphlet which was used with a good 
degree of success. 

This has now been entirely re-written and much new 
material has been added. 

In the preparation of this pamphlet an attempt has been 
made to present, in small compass, facts and information that 
will lead children to an intelligent comprehension of the re- 
sources and institutions of their own State ; and it is believed 
to contain material not to be found elsewhere in any one 
publication. 

The chapter on Civil Government is compiled, by per- 
mission, from "Cocker's Civil Government of Michigan." 

Free use has also been made of the following : "Michigan 
and Its Resources," Cox's "Primer of Michigan History," 
Tackabury's Atlas of Michigan, Ford's "Michigan Geography" 
as published in " The School Moderator," and Cooley's 
" Michigan." 

F. M. Kendall. 
Superintendent's office, 

Grand Rapids, Mich., August 31, 1889. 



eOWTENTS. 



Part I. — Geography. 

SECTION. PAGE. 

I. — Position and Size i 

II. — Surface and Drainage 2 

III. — Rivers 7 

IV.— Lakes 8 

V. — Coast Line 10 

VI. — Islands 10 

VII.— Climate , 11 

VIIL— Cities 14 

Part II. — Industries and Resources. 

SECTION. PAGE. 

I. — Agriculture 20 

II. — Lumbering 21 

III. — Mining 22 

IV. — Manufacturing 28 

V. — Fisheries 28 

VI. — Animals 29 

VII. — Commerce 30 

Part III. — Education and the State Institutions. 

SECTION. PACK. 

I. —The Public School System 35 

II. — Educational Institutions 37 

III. — Charitable Institutions 40 

IV. — Reformatory Institutions ...... .^ 42 

V. — Penal Institutions 42 

Part IV. — Civil Government. 

SECTION. PAGE. 

I. — State Government 44 

II. — Counties and Townships 52 

in. — Cities and. Villages • 56 

IV. — Elections and Taxes 59 

Part V. — History, Page 62. 



PARTP I— GEOGRAPHY. 

SECTION l-POSITION AND SIZE". 

The State of Michigan is situated somewhat east of the 
geographical centre of North America, and about one-third 
of the distance from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. It 
is in the northern tier of States, only five of which reach a 
higher latitude*. 

The mainlands of the State lie between the parallels of 
41*^ 42', and 47^ 29 ' north latitude, and between the meridians 
of 82*^ 24/ and 90^ 32 ' west longitude. New York and the New 
England States on the Atlantic coast, and Washington and 
Oregon on the Pacific coast, lie approximately between the 
same parallels. In Europe, northern Spain, southern France, 
Switzerland, Italy and Austria are also in the same latitude. 

Michigan is enclosed on all sides, excepting the south 
and northwest, by the Great Lakes and their connecting rivers. 
Lake Superior forms its northern boundary, Lakes Huron, St. 
Clair and Erie, with the connecting rivers, (including the 
St. Mary's river) its eastern boundary, and Lake Michigan the 
greater part of its western boundary. On the south it is 
bounded by the States of Ohio and Indiana, and on the north- 
west by the rivers Montreal, Brule and Menominee, and the 
State of Wisconsin. 

The area of the State is 58,915 square miles, of which 
1,485 square miles is water surface. Michigan is 9,745 square 
miles larger than the State of New York, 13,700 larger than 
Pennsylvania, 17,855 larger than Ohio, 22,565 larger than 
Indiana, and 2,265 larger than Illinois. It is almost as large 
- as the six New England States taken together; and it is larger 
than England and Wales combined. 

* Isle Chapeau or Gull Islet (Lat. 48° 13') off the northeastern extremity of Isle 
Royale, is^7 miles further north than the northernmost part of Maine, and it is only about 
9 miles from the international boundary line in Lake Superior, which at this point is in lat. 
48" 20'. 



2 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN, 

The State consists of two irregular peninsulas known as 
the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula. They are 
separated from each other by Lakes Michigan and Huron, 
which are connected by the Straits of Mackinac. The ex- 
treme length of the Upper Peninsula is 318 miles, and its 
extreme breadth is 164 miles. The Lower Peninsula is 277 
miles long, and 197 miles wide in its widest part. The Upper 
Peninsula contains nearly two-fifths of the entire area of the 
State. 

SECTION ll-SURFACE AND DRAINAGE. 

The two peninsulas are strongly contrasted in surface, soil 
and climate. The northern is rugged, with numerous rocky 
exposures; while the southern consists of plains, plateaus, 
gentle undulations and moderate hills, scarcely any of which 
are too steep for tillage. The former is, for the most part, a 
mineral region, the latter an agricultural region. The climate 
are also as distinct as their location and topography. 

The surface of the Lower Peninsula rises gently from the 
surrounding lakes toward the interior, where it reaches an 
elevation of 400 to 600 feet. In the northern part of the 
peninsula, however, the central plateau reaches a height of 
about 800 feet, and a few points are as high as 1,100 feet 
above the lakes. 

A characteristic feature of the Lake Michigan shore is 
the series of sand hills blown up by the prevailing westerly 
winds. These attain elevations up to 100 and 200 feet. At 
Grand Haven, the highest reaches an altitude of 215 feet. 
These sands are continually shifting before the wind, and they 
are accordingly, making constant encroachments upon areas 
occupied and improved by man. Back of these sandhills the 
surface is generally depressed, and frequently occupied by a 
marsh or lake. 

"Viewing the Peninsula as a whole, we discover, first of 
all, a remarkable depression stretching obliquely across 
from the head of Saginaw Bay, up the valley of the Saginaw 
and Bad rivers, and down the Maple and Grand rivers, to 



GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 3 

Lake Michigan. This depression attains, nowhere, an eleva- 
tion greater than 72 feet above Lake Michigan. This eleva- 
tion is in the interval of three miles, separating the waters 
flowing in opposite directions. This spot was chosen in 1837 
as the location for a canal, connecting Saginaw Bay with 
Lake Michigan. It is obvious, that when the lakes stood at 
their ancient elevations, their waters communicated freely 
across this depression, and divided the peninsula into two 
portions, of which the northern was an island."* This de- 
pression has deen designated the " Grand Saginaw Valley." 

Entering upon a more detailed description of the surface, 
it is convenient to divide the Lower Peninsula into three 
sections, to be known as the Southern, Central and Northern 
sections, respectively. 

The Southern section, embracing four tiers of counties, 
comprises the oldest and most developed part of the State. 
Formerly it was densely covered with hardwood forests ; but 
these have been in large measure cleared away, and a rich 
agricultural region has taken their places. 

From the map it will be seen that this section is mainly 
drained into Lake Michigan. The main water shed extends 
through Hillsdale, Jackson, Ingham, Livingston, and Shia- 
wassee counties. Its general elevation above Lake Michigan 
is 400 to 600 feet. The highest plateau south of the " Grand 
Saginaw" valley is in Hillsdale county, where an elevation of 
613 feet above the level of Lake Michigan is reached. In 
the extreme northeastern part of the county " are two peaks 
which, perhaps, constitute the real culminations of the Hills- 
dale summit. Here, within an area of two miles by three, we 
may view the head waters of the St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, 
Grand and Raisin rivers ; and an area of four miles square 
would include, with these, the highest tributaries of the 
Maumee."* The first three rivers, which are among the 
largest in the State, flow westward into Lake Michigan, and 
the other two flow eastward into Lake Erie. 

*Winchell. 



4 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

The Central section embraces the next three tiers of 
counties, and comprises what was formerly known as the 
principal pine lumbering region of the State. The water-shed 
lies about midway between Lakes Huron and Michigan, and 
traverses Gratiot, Montcalm, Mecosta and Clare counties. 
Its altitude is about 300 feet above the lakes. 

The great valleys of the Saginaw and the Muskegon 
rivers are in this section. The Saginaw, with its tributaries, 
drains the eastern slope. The Muskegon, the largest river in 
this section, flows west from the water-shed into Lake Mich- 
igan. The central portion of the Huron peninsula, which lies 
east and southeast of Saginaw Bay, is a plateau some 400 feet 
in height. It was at one time heavily timbered, but it is 
now given up mostly to agriculture. It has a water-shed ot 
its own, extending in a southwesterly direction, to meet the 
main axis of the Lower Peninsula. Several small streams 
flow both ways into Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron. 

The northern section comprises the remaining counties 
of the Lower Peninsula. It is the least settled portion, hav- 
ing been last opened to settlement. The soil is generally well 
adapted to agriculture, and in the western portion, about 
Traverse Bay, it seems to be specially adapted to the raising 
of fruits. In the region bordering on the lakes, and on the 
large streams which empty into them, pine lumbering opera- 
tions are extensively carried on. There is also a large 
amount of valuable hard wood found in this section. 

The water- shed extends northward through Roscommon, 
Crawford, Otsego and Cheboygan counties. In Otsego county 
is found the highest land in the Lower Peninsula. The gen- 
eral elevation of- the whole central portion of this section is 
600 to 800 feet, but in Otsego county it attains a height ot 
1,100 feet above Lake Michigan. The chief rivers which 
drain this section are the Au Sable on the east, and the Man- 
istee on the west. Other smaller streams flow eastward, 
northward and westward from this summit. 



GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 5 

The Upper Peninsula may, in like manner, be divided 
into three sections, the Eastern, Middle and Western. 

The Eastern section embraces the country east of a line 
drawn from Marquette Bay to Green Bay. It possesses a 
fertile soil, an equable climate, and although not yet devel- 
oped, it is known to be capable of agricultural development of 
a high order. "An elevated range of limestone hills extends 
across the entire southern border from Point Detour to Little 
Bay de Noquet. These hills rise to a height of 200 to 300 
feet above the lakes, on the shores of which they sometimes 
appear as bold bluffs cut into weird and romantic forms by 
the action of the elements. The bluffs of Mackinac Island 
are 140 feet high, and the central plateau is 300 feet high. 
Along the north shore of this peninsula is a similar range of 
hills, in some localities even more lofty and bold than those 
on the south shore. These extend from Point Iroquois west- 
ward, following the direction of the shore line, and sometimes 
rise to an altitude of 600 feet above the lake, from which they 
appear as lofty headlands, or perpendicular escarpments, as 
at Grand Sable and Pictured Rocks. The streams which break 
through this range are interrupted by falls, some of them 40 to 
100 feet in height. The scenery is very attractive." * Just 
east of Grand Island are the famous Pictured Rocks, a line of 
water-worn and frequently precipitous bluffs of variously col- 
ored sandstone extending about twelve miles along the shore 
of the lake. They are rarely more than So to 100 feet high, 
but the hills rising back from their tops reach 150 to 200 feet. 
The rocks are worn into grotesque forms, some of which re- 
semble ruined castles, temples, arches, etc. 

Inland the surface of the country is quite level, and for 
the most part heavily wooded with hard wood forests. 
Throughout the whole interior of the Peninsula the streams 
are sluggish, and the regions to the east of Point Iroquois, and 
the upper waters of the Tequamenon, are largely occupied by 
marshes abounding in peat and bog iron ore. 

* Winchell. 



6 GEOGRAPHV OF MICHIGAN. 

East of Lake Manistique, the drainage is chiefly into Lake 
Superior, St. Mary's river and Lake Huron. The Tequa- 
menon is the largest river. 

The principal portion of the drainage to the west of this 
lake is into Lake Michigan, the water-shed running east and 
west by a zig-zag line, within six to ten miles of Lake Superior. 
The principal streams are the Whitefish and Manistique 
rivers. 

The middle section extends from the eastern section to a 
line drawn from the head of Keweenaw Bay to the head of 
Montreal river. 

The water-shed extends westward to within ten miles of 
Keweenaw Bay, where it bends and runs in a southwesterly 
direction to the boundary of the State. Its greatest altitude 
above Lake Michigan is 1,250 feet. Lake Michigamme lies 
at an altitude of 966 feet. 

Along the water-shed the country is wild and mountainous; 
but the central portion of the section is an elevated plain, 
well watered and containing immense tracts of valuable pine 
land. 

The principal rivers of this section are the Escanaba^ 
Menominee and Michigamme, all ot which flow southeasterly 
from the main water-shed. 

The western section includes what is known as the Min- 
eral Range, and is famous for its copper mines. The water-shed 
is rugged and mountainous, and extends from Keweenaw Point 
westward parallel with the coast, to the Ontonagon river. 
West of the river, the Porcupine Range extends in a south- 
westerly direction to the State line; its altitude is 1,000 ta 
1,400 feet above the lake. Keweenaw Point is a rocky prom- 
ontory extending far into Lake Superior. Mt. Houghton^ 
near the head of the point, is 884 feet above the lake. 

In the Mineral P,.ange are the famous deposits of copper. 
A similar range is found running in a nearly parallel direction 
in Isle Royale, where like deposits have also been found. 



GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 7 

SECTION MI-RIVERS. 

Owing to its peculiar location with reference to the Great 
Lakes, Michigan possesses no large navigable rivers; although 
its numerous streams are of inestimable value to the lumber- 
ing interests of the state in floating the logs from the forests 
to the mills. The Detroit, St. Clair, and St. Mary's rivers, 
which form part of the eastern boundary of the state, are 
really straits connecting great fresh water seas. They are 
navigable for the largest lake vessels and their commercial 
importance to the state can hardly be overestimated. 

The Detroit River, sometimes called "the Dardanelles of 
the New World," is 28 males long and from one to three miles 
wide. This noble and beautiful river gives to Detroit the best 
harbor on the Great Lakes and furnishes the city with one of 
the finest water supplies in the world. 

The St. Clair River, connecting Lakes St. Clair and 
Huron, is also 28 miles long and about one and a quarter 
broad. 

The St. Mary's River, which forms the eastern boundary 
of the Upper Peninsula, is 63 miles long and varies in width, 
often expanding into lakes. Near the head of the river is the 
government ship canal around the rapids of St. Mary's. 

The interior rivers of the Lower Peninsula have a general 
east and west direction from the main water-shed. 

The elevated plateau in Hillsdale county, already men- 
tioned, is the source of the four largest rivers in the southern 
part of the state, viz: the Grand, the Kalamazoo and the St. 
Joseph, flowing westward into Lake Michigan, and the Raisin 
flowing eastward into Lake Erie. 

The Grand river is the longest in the state (270 miles). 
It is navigable for small steamers from the mouth to Grand 
Rapids, 40 miles. At this point the fall in the river bed pro- 
duces the rapids, whence the name of the city. 

The Kalamazoo river is about 200 miles long, and the St. 
Joseph 250 miles long. Both are navigable for short distan- 



Q GEOGRAPAV OF MICHIGAN. 

ces from their mouths and they turnish valuable water power. 
The Raisin and the Huron are the largest rivers flowing 
into Lake Erie from Michigan. They drain a beautiful section 
of the state and afford excellent water power. 

In the central portion of the peninsula are the Muskegon 
and the Saginaw rivers. The Muskegon rises in Higgins and 
Houghton lakes, which lie 589 feet above Lake Michigan, and 
after flowing 180 miles through valuable timber lands it emp- 
ties into Lake Michigan. It is valuable chiefly for logging 
purposes, but in some localities it furnishes excellent water 
power. The Saginaw, formed by the union of the Cass, the 
Flint and the Shiawassee from the east and south, and the 
Tittibawassee and its tributaries from the north, is only 22 
miles long, but it is navigable by lake steamers its entire 
length, and is therefore one of the most important rivers in 
the state. 

In the northern part of the peninsula the Manistee and 
Au Sable rivers rise on opposite sides of the main water-shed 
at its highest point in Otsego county; the former flows west- 
ward into Lake Michigan, and the latter eastward into Lake 
Huron. Both are important in their relation to the lumber 
interests of the territory which they drain. 

The Thunder Bay and Cheboygan rivers flow into Lake 
Huron from the extreme north end of the peninsula, the latter 
being the* outlet of several large lakes. 

The Upper Peninsula is drained by numerous small 
streams most of which have a general southerly direction. 
The most important are the following : 

The Menominee, forming the principal natural boundary 
between Michigan and Wisconsin, empties into Green Bay. 

The Escanaba and Manistique are the principal streams 
in the central and eastern part of the peninsula, and the On- 
tonagon and Sturgeon are the largest in the western portion. 

SECTION IV-LAKES. 

The " Great Lakes " of North America are remarkable, 
not only on account of their size, being the largest bodies of 



GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 



fresh water in the world, but because ot their location. They 
are situated on an elevated plateau and not, as might be sup- 
posed, in a great depression receiving the drainage of a large 
territory. The streams which flow into them are small and 
few in numbers. 

All but one of these inland seas wash the shores of Mich- 
igan. Lake Superior, the largest, is 460 miles long and its 
greatest width is 160 miles. It is 599 feet above the sea 
level and 988 feet deep. Its area is 32,000 square miles. 
Lake Michigan, 360 miles long and 108 miles wide, and Lake 
Huron, 270 miles long and 160 miles wide, have the same 
elevation above the sea, viz : 5S1 feet. Lake Erie, only the 
west end of which touches the State, is 250 miles long, 80 
miles wide and 565 feet above the level of the sea. Lake St. 
Clair, lying between Lakes Huron and Erie, has an area of 
407 square miles.* 

*THE GREAT LAKES. 



i LENGTH. 
1 MILES. 


WIDTH. 
iMlLES. 


DEPTH. 
KEET. 


COAST LINE 

IN MICH. 

MILES. 


ELEVATION 

ABOVE SEA. 

FEET. 


AREA. 

SQ. MILES. 


Superior . 
Michigan . 
Huron . . . 
hue 

1 intario . . 


460 
360 
270 
250 
180 


160 

108 

160 

80 

65 


988 
900 
300 
200 
500 


637 
424 

39 


599-2 
5806 
580.6 

565 
262 


32,000 

20,000 

20,000 

6,000 

6,000 


1 1.520 


.... 1 ... 


1,624 




84,000 



The smaller inland lakes of Michigan number over 5,000, 
In ihe Lower Peninsula the most important are Burt, Mullet 
Cheboygan, Pine, Bear, Torch Light, Elk Carp, Glen, Crys- 
tal. Hubbard, Higgins, Houghton and Muskegon lakes. With 
the exception of the one last named these are all in the upper 
third of the peninsula. 

The largest lakes in the Upper Peninsula are Gogebic, 
Portage, Michigamme, Manistique, Hay and Mud lakes The 
last two form part of waters connecting Lakes Superior and 
Huron. 



lO GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

SECTION V-COAST LINE 

Michigan has a coast line of 1,620 miles and "along the 
whole of this distance vessels of 2, coo tons may pass without 
losing sight of land." Compared with many of the States 
having a long sea coast, and with the countries of Europe, 
there are few bays, although many excellent harbors are 
found in the inland lakes which lie near the shore, and in the 
mouths of the large rivers, as at Holland, Grand Haven, 
Muskegon, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and elsewhere. At Sand 
Beach, in Huron county, the United States Government has 
provided, at a cost of nearly one million dollars, a safe and 
commodious harbor by constructing a stone breakwater, 8,000 
feet long and inclosing 460 acres of water. This convenient 
refuge, together with the life-saving station, maintained by the 
Government, has proved a great benefit to lake commerce. 

There are numerous peninsulas in the State of which 
Keweenaw is the most important on account of its great cop- 
per mines. [Name and locate the principal bays and penin- 
sulas.] 

SECTION VI-ISLANDS. 

Included within the boundaries of the state are 179 islands 
and many islets, varying in size from one acre upwards, and 
having a total area of about 632 square miles. 

Isle Royale, in Lake Superior, is the largest of these 
islands. It is 45 miles long and its greatest breadth is nine 
miles. Its area is 252 square miles. It lies about fifty miles 
from the south shore of Lake Superior and fifteen to twenty 
miles from the north shore. It has an exceedingly rugged 
shore and upon it are numerous rocky hills, some of them 
reaching an altitude of 700 feet above the lake. It contains 
rich deposits of mineral, particularly copper, and its surface 
is nearly covered with a dense forest. In 1875 it was organ- 
ized as a county, though it is now said to be uninhabited. 

In St. Mary's river are Sugar Island, fifteen by six and 
one-half miles, and Neebish Island, seven and a half by four 



GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. II 

miles in size. Drummond Island, at the head of Lake Huron, 
is twenty miles long by thirteen wide. All these islands are 
inhabited by whites and Indians. 

Off the south shore of the upper peninsula in Lake 
Huron is an archipelago of one hundred or more islands 
called the Cheneaux (popularly known as "The Snows"). 
Most of its members are mere islets, but Marquette island is 
four miles long by three and a half wide. 

Mackinac Island, in the straits of the same name, con- 
tains 2,221 acres, of which 821 acres have been devoted by 
the General Government to a National Park, and 103 acres 
are occupied by the old fort. "A small garrison is maintained 
here, and this, with the scenery, the varied character of its 
structure, reaching upon the loftiest part of its plateau to 300 
fett in height, its natural curiosities, and its historic celebrity, 
combine to attract to the island great numbers of visitors and 
summer residents." 

Bois Blanc Island, at the entrance of Lake Huron to the 
Straits of Mackinac, is ten and a quarter miles long by six in 
width. It is becoming a favorite summer resort. 

The islands which lie west and southwest of the Straits of 
Mackinac, in Lake Michigan, consisting of the Beaver, Fox, 
and Manitou groups, constitute a county (Manitou county) 
by themselves. As a county it is about 80 miles long by 30 
miles wide, but its land surface comprises only 180 square 
miles. The entire county had 1,334 inhabitants in 1880, and 
1,198 in 1884. 

SECTION VII-CLIMATE. 

It is claimed that the climate of Michigan, both in 
summer and winter, is better adapted to the interests of agri- 
culture and horticulture, and probably also to the comfort and 
health of its citizens, than the climate of any other northwes- 
tern state. 

The mean annual temperature for the state as determined 
by the Michigan Weather Service from thirteen years' obser- 



12 ■ GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

vations, is 46.1'^ F., or about the same as that of Berlin. 
During the summer months the mean temperature for the 
state is 68.5^, or nearly the same as that of Vienna. During 
the winter months the mean is about the same as that of 
Stockholm, 23.8°. 

In the Upper Peninsula the winters are somewhat colder 
and the summers are from four to six weeks shorter than in 
the Lower Peninsula. 

The Great Lakes by which the State is surrounded exert 
a marked influence upon the climate. The severe winds are 
commonly from the west and northwest, but in sweeping 
across the open waters of Lake Michigan they are so far 
softened as to make the climate much milder than that found 
in the same latitude on the western side of the lake. The 
winter mean of Chicago, for example is 24.5'^ F., while that of 
New Buffalo is 28^. Milwaukee has a winter mean of 22° F., 
while that of Grand Haven is 26^. When intense cold pre- 
vails in other states of the Northwest, it is comparatively com- 
fortable in many parts of Michigan. It cannot be doubted 
that the broad, deep water of Lake Michigan serves as a 
reservoir of heat received in summer, and perceptibly warms, 
not only the shore counties, but somewhat the whole Lower 
Peninsula. 

This peculiarity of Michigan climate is especially favor- 
able to the growth of fruits. Peaches are grown success- 
fully along the Lake Michigan shore, and even figs thrive in 
the open air in latitude 42.5" 

The average annual rain-fall for the State during 13 years' 
observation before 1889 was 35.8 inches This is quite evenly 
distributed throughout the year, although more than half of it 
falls in the months from .May to October. 

It is also quite equally distributed throughout the State. 
The Upper Peninsula, which receives the least amount, has 
an average annual fall of 34.81 inches. 

The heaviest average annual rain-fall is in Berrien county 



GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 



13 



(43.44 inches), and the lowest is in Marquette county (31.63 
inches). 

Cyclones, blizzards, and other sudden and destructive 
meteorological disturbances are almost unknown in the State; 
and extreme drouths, or an excess or a deficiency in the 
temperature, never occur in all sections ot the State in the 
same month. 

In the record of the number of clear, fair or cloudy days 
as taken from the reports of the signal service the following 
stations are selected to show the average conditions as they 
exist in the State: Alpena has an average of 85 clear days, 
144 fair days, and 136 cloudy days; Detroit, 87 clear, 148 
fair, and 130 cloudy days; Escanaba, 81 clear, 155 fair, and 
130 cloudy; Grand Haven, 92 clear, 136 fair, and 137 cloudy; 
Port Huron, 76 clear, 157 fair, and 132 cloudy; Marquette, 82 
clear, 146 fair, and 137 cloudy days. Chicago, 111.,, has an 
average of 108 clear, 149 fair, and 109 cloudy days. 

TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION NORMALS, DEDUCED FROM THIRTEEN 
YEARS OBRERVATIONS, 1876-1888; FOR EACH SECTION AND FOR STATE, 
(seasons and ANNUAL.) 









UPPER 


NORTHERN 


CENTRAL 


SOUTHERN 










PENINSULA. 


SECTION. 


SECTION. 


SECTION. 


STATE, 




V, • 

2* 




V , ■ 


5 S.C 


6, ■ 


.•a u5 

■z "O 


3 „ 


• -0 u) 


^ A 


5 C.C 








2 V 




rt Ji 


« UI " 


rt ^ 


rt y, aj 


rt V 


a ,f, i> 












S-ff 


■H.-S's 




;H.|| 




'Mi 




%%1 




•a^-2 








eo 


2JS 


eo 


2I-S 


eo 


l^^ 


go 


1'='^ 


eo 


'U% 








H 


Cu 


H 


a, 


H 


d, 


H 


0, 


H 


i, 




( March, 


) 






















Spring 


] April, 
( May, 




36.1 


2 26 


38.3 


2.52 


43-2 


2.63 


45-8 


2-95 


43-2 


2.81 




\ 
























June, 


) 






















Summer 


■ July, 


634 


369 


66.0 


332 


68.9 


3-29 


70.5 


351 


68.5 


347 




August 
























( Sept., 


I 












1 








Autumn 


] Oct., 


44-5 


3-51 


46.6 


3-38 


49.2 


3.18 


50,2 


304 


48.9 


3 15 




(Nov., 


) 
























r Dec, 
























Winter 


- Jan , 


[ 


18.0 


2.14 


20.7 


2.92 


24.7 


2.39 


25-3 


2.64 


23.8 


2-53 




(Feb., 


) 




















Annual. 






40.5 


^4.81 A2.n 


36.43 


46.5 


34.47 


48.0 


36.40 


46 I 


3585 




o*t" 


^ y 



14 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

SECTION VMI-CITIES. 

At the date of the census of 1864 there were in Michigan 
19 incorporated cities, having a total population of 130,158. 
In 1884 the number of incorporated cities had increased to 
49, with a population of 509,277. In 1884 the population of 
the State was 1,853,658. It will thus be seen that more than 
one-fourth of the entire population of the State was, at that 
time, in the cities. 

A special study of the cities and large towns of the State 
may be made by consulting gazetteers, the State directory, and 
such local publications as may be had. A few only of the 
largest cities are here described. Their population, accord- 
ing to the census of 1884, is as follows: 



Detroit 132,956 

Grand Rapids 41,898 

Bay City 29,412 

East Saginaw 29,085 

Jackson 19,100 

Muskegon 17,825 

Kalamazoo '^3>9°9 



Saginaw 13,760 

Port Huron 10,388 

Battle Creek...... 10,051 

Lansing 9,774 

Adrian 9>3^9 

Flint 9>oi7 

Ann Arbor 75912 



LANSING, the Capital of the State, is near the centre of 
the southern half of the Lower Peninsula. It is situated on 
high ground on both sides of the Grand river, in the midst of 
a fertile territory. The city has many fine public buildings 
and private residences, and is rapidly increasing in trade, 
wealth and population. The capitol, constructed of iron and 
stone, at a cost of one and a half million of dollars, is one of 
the finest buildings of its kind in the United States. 

The chief manufactures are steam engines, agricultural 
implements, wagons, sash, doors, blinds, and barrels. Four 
railways centre here, thus affording good commercial facilities. 
The Agricultural College, the Reform School for Boys, the 
Institution for the Blind, and the State Library are located 
here. 

DETROIT, the metropolis of Michigan, is situated on the 
Detroit river, 18 miles from Lake Erie, and 7 miles from 



GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 15 

Lake St. Clair. The river, forming the boundary line be- 
tween the United States and Canada, is about half a mile 
wide at this point, and of great depth, thus forming the most 
perfect harbor on the great lakes. 

With the annexed suburbs of Hamtramck and Spring- 
Avells, Detroit stretches along the river front a distance of 
more than 6 miles, and extends back into the country nearly 
3 miles, thus covering an area of about 20 square miles, the 
greater part of which is occupied by business blocks, public 
works and buildings and elegant and costly private residences. 
The river front is a line of mills, dry-docks, ship yards, 
foundries, grain- elevators, railway-depots, and warehouses of 
all descriptions. 

The city is well laid out, the general plan being for the 
streets to follow the river and intersect at right angles ; but 
there are five avenues which converge on the Campus Mar- 
tius as a centre, thus forming a large open square, around 
which are grouped many fine public buildings. A boulevard, 
partly finished, is designed to form a crescent on the north 
side of the city, with its termini resting, on the river above 
and below. Its length will be about nine miles, with a 
uniform width of 150 feet. It will connect with Belle Isle 
Park, which embraces the whole of Belle Isle. Extensive 
improvements on the island are being carried on, and when 
completed, thi^ park will be one of the most attractive places 
of public resort to be found in the country. A bridge from 
the American side is in course of construction, the length of 
which will be 2,017 feet. Its cost will be about $300,000. 

The manufacturing interests of Detroit are various and 
important. Railroad cars, stoves and pharmaceutical sup- 
plies are extensively produced. Other important industries 
are carried on in its ship-yards, saw-mills, flour-mills, brick- 
yards, tanneries, copper-smelting works, etc. 

Nine railroads centre in the city, and steamers connect 
it with all the lake ports. It is a port of entry and a large 
foreign commerce is carried on with Canada : the exports in 



1 6 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

1886 amounted to $4,283,310. In that year 346,718 loaded 
cars crossed the river, and over 5,000 vessels entered at this 
port. A government building, to cost §1,000,000 is soon to 
be erected. 

GRAND RAPIDS, the second city in Michigan in popula- 
tion, wealth, and business importance, lies on both sides ot 
Grand River, at the head of navigation, 32 miles by rail from 
Lake Michigan. The river at this point has a fall of 17 feet, 
affording an excellent water-power, which is used for manu- 
facturing and milling purposes. The city is in the midst of a 
fine agricultural and horticultural region, and at the centre of 
the famous " Fruit Belt" of the State ; it is, therefore, an im- 
portant distributing point for these products. It is also a 
port of entry for foreign goods. 

But it is chiefly as a manufacturing centre that Grand 
Rapids is known. Its manufacturing establishments, nearly 
400 in number, produce goods which are sold in nearly every 
market in the world, and its furniture factories are the most 
extensive in the United States. Wooden ware, pianos, car- 
pet-sweepers, wagoffs, carriages, agricultural and mill ma- 
chinery, leather, flour, brushes, barrels, boots and shoes, 
coffins and burial cases, are also manufactured in large quan- 
tities. From the extensive gypsum-quarries near the city, 
large quantities of land plaster and plaster of Paris are oro- 
duced. 

The State Soldier's Home is situated one mile north of 
the city, on the river bank, and the Masonic Home of the 
State is one mile east, near Reed's Lake, a favorite summer 
resort. Seven railroads enter the city, and furnish the best 
commercial facilities. 

SAGINAW is on the Saginaw river, about 17 miles from its 
mouth. The river is navigable to this point for the largest 
lake vessels. This, with the facilities afforded by the rail- 
roads, give ample transportation for the large quantities of 
lumber, salt, and other products manufactured here. The 
city contains extensive saw, shingle and planing mills, sash 



GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 1 7 

and door factories, barrel and salt works, and has foundries, 
machine, boiler and car-repair shops. 

BAY CITY is situated on the Saginaw river, 4 miles from 
Saginaw Bay. It is largely engaged in the manufacture of 
lumber and salt, and in fisheries. As a ship-building point it 
is among the first on the Great Lakes, and it is also an im- 
portant shipping port for immense quantities of lumber and 
other forest products. Important railroad connections add 
to the commercial advantages afforded by its location near 
the lake. 

JACKSON is an important railroad centre and manufac- 
turing town, in the south-central part of the state. It is in 
the midst of a fine farming region, and in its vicinity are found 
bituminous coal, limestone, fire-clay, and sandstone. Its 
manufactures comprise milling machinery, fire-brick, sewer- 
pipes, chemicals, wagons, agricultural implements, sash, doors 
and blinds, paper, flour, corsets and underwear. 

The State Prison of the Lower Peninsula is located here, 
(see page 45) also large repair shops of the Michigan Central 
Railroad. This point is also a distributing centre for the 
state of the great reaper and mowing machine manufactories 
of the United States. 

MUSKEGON is the largest and most important city on the 
east shore of Lake Michigan, and the greatest lumber manu- 
facturing point in the world. The Muskegon river here 
empties into Muskegon lake, making one of the satest and 
most convenient harbors on the Great Lakes. Lines of 
steamers give the city daily communication with Milwaukee 
and Chicago, and furnish, with its railroads, excellent com- 
mercial facilities. In addition to the enormous amount of 
lumber, shingles, etc., manufactured here, furniture, railroad 
cars, boxes, and a large variety of wooden-ware are produced. 

KALAMAZOO is situated on thei]river of the same name, 40 
miles from Lake Michigan. The river affords ample power 
for the many industries of the place, and its railroad facilities 
are excellent. It is noted for the beauty of its broad and 



l8 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN, 

finely shaded streets, its many and beautiful churches, and its 
handsome residences. Kalamazoo College, Michigan Female 
Seminary, and one of the three State asylums for the insane 
are situated here. 

The city has become famous for the quantity and excell- 
ence of the celery it raises. The crop is shipped throughout 
the United States and its value amounts to hundreds of thous- 
ands of dollars annually. A large amount of manufacturing 
is also done. The largest carriage spring works in the 
country are located here, and fanning-mills and wind-mills 
are manufactured in large numbers. 

PORT HURON is a port of entry, for here the Grand 
Trunk Railway of Canada enters the state, sending off branches 
to Detroit and Chicago. The city is situated at the foot of 
Lake Huron, and the head of the St. Clair river. Lumbering, 
and the fisheries are among its more important industries. 
The manufacturing interests comprise extensive fibre works, 
machine-shops, ship-yards, saw-mills and agricultural imple- 
ment works. Oil and natural gas have been found here in 
paying quantities. 

BATTLE CREEK is situated at the confluence of the Kala- 
mazoo and Battle Creek rivers, both of which furnish val- 
uable water power. This is an important manufacturing 
centre, and produces extensively printing presses, threshing 
machines, portable engines, all kinds of wood-working ma- 
chinery, flour, school fnrniture, sash, doors and blinds, 
boilers, leather, carriages and wagons, and all kinds of knit 
goods. The extensive repair shops of the Chicago and Grand 
Trunk Railway are located here. This city is also the head- 
quarters of the Seventh-Day Adventist's denomination, which 
has here a college, sanitarium, hospital, and a publishing 
house, which issues a number of books, periodicals, etc., 
published in seven different languages, and circulating in all 
parts of the world. The tabernacle of this denomination has 
the largest auditorium of any religious edifice in the State. 



GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 1 9 

ADRIAN, on the Raisin river, is in the midst of a fine 
farming country, and is an important shipping point for 
grain, dairy products, fruit, etc. Its manufactures comprise 
wheel-barrows, carriages, pumps, furniture, etc. Adrian Col- 
lege, a denominational school, is located here, and also the 
Industrial Home for girls. 

FLINT, is located in the centre of Genesee county, on 
both banks of the Flint river. The site upon which the city 
stands was formerly known as the Grand Traverse of Flint 
river, and was a favorite camping and trading- ground of the 
Chippewa Indians. The streets are broad, well laid out, and 
liberally supplied with shade and ornamental trees. A large 
business is done by three mills in the line of sash, doors and 
blinds. There are several flouring mills foundries, machine 
shops, grain elevators, carriage and furniture manufactories, 
and a large woolen mill. Charcoal is also extensively pro- 
duced. The Deaf and Dumb School is pleasantly located 
here. 

ANN ARBOR, is beautifully situated on high ground on 
both sides of the Huron river, in the south-eastern part of the 
State. It is the county-seat of Washtenaw county, one of the 
most fertile agricultural counties in the country. It is the 
seat of the State University, which, with its nearly two thous- 
and students, is the largest state institution of the kind in the 
Union. The large campus. University Hall, law and medical 
buildings, observatory, hospitals, laboratories, museums, lib- 
rary, and art gallery, form the chief attractions of the place. 



PART II. 

INDUSXRIKS AND RKSOURCBS. 

"Although agriculture is the chief producing interest of 
the State, and engages the attention of the largest share of its 
people, fertile farms and prolific orchards have not alone 
contributed to its prosperity. While a few states excel it in the 
volume of their crops, and in the aggregate of their industrial 
statistics, none can surpass it in the magnitude and diversity 
of its resources." Noted for its wheat, its wool, and its fruit, 
it is also first in the United States in its production of lumber, 
salt, copper and iron ore, and in the extent of its fresh water 
fisheries. The geographical position of the State with refer- 
ence to the Great Lakes, affects not only its climate, as al- 
ready shown, but furnishes peculiar commercial advantages. 
SECTION l-AGRICULTURE. 

Owing to its favorable climate, its varied and fertile soil, 
and its accessibility and nearness to the great markets of the 
world, Michigan is particularly adapted to agricultural pur- 
suits; and it is estimated that at least half of its population is 
employed in this industry. It is said that in the whole of 
Michigan one can certainly find the exact character of soil 
he seeks, for every shade of variation seems to be represented. 
There are, indeed, limited -areas covered with a light, rather 
sterile, sandy drift soil, and in other places a heavy but quite 
fertile clay soil occurs; but, in most instances, the drift soil is 
composed of a mixture of clay with sand and gravel, which 
combine all the properties requisite for the production of a 
rich vegetation. 

The principal cereals produced are wheat, corn, oats and 
barley; but the great crop of Michigan is wheat. Its export 
brings more money into the State than all its other surplus 



INDUSTRIES AND RESOURCES. 21 

crops. The average yield per acre of this product is greater 
than that of any other state in the Union. 

In its production of wool, the State ranked fourth in the 
Union in the census of 1880, and experienced dealers state 
that about three-quarters of the wool produced here rates as 
fine Spanish, and the remainder is of mixed grades. Sheep 
raising is a profitable pursuit, and horses, cattle and hogs are 
also extensively raised. 

On account of its favorable climatic conditions, the State 
is peculiarly adapted to a wide range of fruits. Lake Michigan 
maintains a very even temperature throughout the year; and 
this, with the fact that most of the winds are westerly, ex- 
plains the peculiar success in horticulture. This lake influence 
is not felt so largely in the interior as along the shore; but, in 
a large measure, the whole southern peninsula is modified in 
extremes of weather by this great equalizer. The fact that the 
western shore from St. Joseph northward to Grand Traverse 
is especially favored with immunity from frost, has given rise 
to the term, "Michigan Fruit Belt." In this strip of territory 
200 miles in length, peaches are more successfully grown than 
in other portions of the state, although, in late years, large 
quantities have been shipped from several interior counties. 
The yield, in a good season, is about 500,000 bushels; and 
nearly 5,000,000 bushels of apples have been produced in one 
season. 

Pears, plums, cherries, grapes, and various other small fruits 
are produced in great abundance and variety. Immense 
quantities of fruit are shipped daily from the ports along Lake 
Michigan, from St. Joseph to Traverse City, furnishing the 
great distributing market of Chicago with fresh fruit each 
morning during the entire fruit season. Special fruit trains 
are also run into Chicago during the season of shipment. 
SECTION ll-LUMBERING 

The forest products are second only in importance to the 
fruits of the soil, and for many years lumbering has been the 
chief manufacturing interest of the State. The extent and 
value of the lumber product of Michigan has not been equalled 



22 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

by that of any other state, and it is probable that for some 
years to come it will maintain its precedence in this respect. 

The pine forests originally covered extensive areas in the 
northern two-thirds of the Lower Peninsula, besides large 
tracts in the Upper Peninsula; while the hard woods mainly oc- 
cupied the southern third of the State. Of the 25,000,000 
acres embraced in the Lower Peninsula, considerably more 
than one-half might properly have been classed as a pine 
region; for the product was found growing upon all the 
streams. Although several varieties of pine are found in the 
State, the white pine, so highly prized in commerce, predom- 
inates. 

Much of the valuable timber has been cut and shipped to 
the different markets of the world. In 1886, the product ot 
pine alone was 3,984,117,175 feet, and its estimated value was 
more than $60,000,000. 

It is only one or two decades since active operations 
were commenced towards utilizing the unparalleled stores of 
choice hard woods found in the State, and the value of these 
products must continue to increase with every year. In time, 
the hard wood product will equal in yearly value the present 
pine lumber product. 

The principal centres of lumber manufacturing are the 
Saginaw, Grand River and Muskegon valleys, the streams of 
which serve to carry the logs to the mills. Of late years, 
logging railroads have been built into the forests, thus enab- 
ling the mill to obtain a constant supply, and largely chang- 
ing the character of the lumber industry. 

SECTION lll-MINIIMG 

Another important industry of the State, is mining, in 
which a large proportion of the population of the Upper Pen- 
insula is engaged. As early as 1640, the French Jesuits who 
visited this country, discovered the rich mineral resources of 
the Upper Peninsula, and reported the fact to the head of 
their order in Paris. 

COPPER. — The most important mineral products of the 
State are iron and copper. The richest copper mines ever 



INDUSTRIES AND RESOURCES. 23 

discovered are situated in the Mineral Range running into 
Keweenaw Point. These yield more than two-thirds of the 
entire product of the United States in the form of pure cop- 
per, which has only to be separated from the rock in which it 
is found to be ready for the market. It is mined by means of 
deep shafts and connecting galleries, and when brought to the 
surface it is separated from the rock by being first mashed 
under the ponderous hammers of the stamp mills, and then 
subjected to the fires of the smelting furnace. 

Its quality is unequalled, and it commands a ready sale, and 
the highest price in the markets of the world. In many in- 
stances masses weighing hundreds of tons of pure native 
copper have been taken out. The celebrated mass of 
native copper which is now in the Patent Office at Washing- 
ton, was discovered by Gen. Cass when he visited the country 
in 1822. It had been detached from its native hill, 
and had been transported several miles to the bank of the 
Ontonagon river, with the evident intention of taking it 
down that stream to the lake. By what race of men this mass 
was removed from its native bed, and carried to where Gen. 
Cass discovered it, will probably never be known; but there 
are traces of "ancient miners" throughout the whole mineral 
range of Lake Superior. 

The Upper Peninsula contains 65 copper mines, 25 of 
which yielded in 1S66, 80,858,752 pounds of copper, worth 
over ^12,000,000. The largest mine, that at Calumet, has 
built up an industry which employs 2,000 men, and its total 
product of refined copper in 1882 was 50,770,719 pounds, or 
one-sixth of the estimated annual production of copper in the 
world. The copper is smelted at Portage Lake, Detroit, 
Cleveland and Pittsburgh. There are now between 25 and 30 
mines in operation, employing about 7,000 men. 

IRON. — The existence of iron ore in the Upper Peninsula 
was known to the Indians and white traders at an early day, 
but until 1845 it was not thought to be present in sufficient 
quantities to be of any practical importance. In 1880, Michi- 



24 GEOGRAPAY OF MICHIGAN. 

gan ranked as the second State in the Union in the quantity 
of iron ore produced, while in the value of its annual product 
it ranked first. 

The mines are located in three separate districts in the 
Upper Peninsula. 

1. The Marquette t)iSTRiCT includes the most thor- 
oughly developed mines, and embraces the counties of Mar- 
quette and Baraga. Its chief mines are located west of Mar- 
quette in a range of hills, six miles wide by loo miles in 
length, and extending to Keweenaw Bay. These are from 400 
to 600 feet high, and they are nothing more nor less than 
solid masses of iron, partially covered by layers of earth and 
rock. This region contains the flourishing cities of Marquette, 
Negaunee and Ishpeming, the centers ot much business acti- 
vity and communities of enterprising and intelligent people, 
well provided with hotels, schools and churches. 

2. The Menominee District is located in the northern 
and western towns of Menominee county. Active mining 
operations were not carried on here until 1877; but in 1882 
there were 15 producing mines, which yielded over 1,000,000 
tons of ore. 

3. The Gogebic District is located between the lake 
of that name, and the Montreal River. In 1883 it was an un- 
developed region, but since that time it has passed through 
the experience of a veritable western mining district. The 
Gogebic mining craze has had no parallel in the previous his- 
tory of the Lake Superior region, but while the wonderful 
boom has collapsed, there has been much substantial pro- 
gress. The villages of Bessemer, Ironwood and Hurley are 
as large and as well provided with the conveniences essential 
for business and personal comfort as are towns of equal popu- 
lation, after many more years of existence. There were, in 
i888, 10 or 12 mines producing ore in paying quantities. 

About 60 iron mines were working in 1887, and more 
than 6,000 men were employed in them. The yield for that 
year was nearly 4,000,000 tons of ore. 

The Michigan ores are of extraordinary richness. The 



INDUSTRIES AND RESOURCES. 25 

greater part of the ore is shipped in its natural condition and 
reduced into iron by the furnaces of other States. 

SALT. — Long before the settlement of Michigan by white 
men, the Indians supplied themselves with salt from the saline 
springs of the Saginaw valley; but it was not until i860 that 
brine was obtained in paying quantities. From that time the 
development of this industry was so rapid that in five years 
its product equaled that of the Onondaga Salt Springs, near 
Syracuse, N. Y., in the forty-second year of the existence of 
their works. 

The chief center of the salt manufacture is in the Saginaw 
valley, where three-fourths of the yield of the entire State is 
produced. The fortunate location of the wells upon the 
shores of navigable waters has given this industry the advan- 
tage of cheap transportation and easy access to markets. 

Still more important is the economy with which the salt 
blocks are worked. In connection with saw-mills their 
operation involves a large saving of expense. Power is fur- 
nished by the same boilers, and the evaporation of the brine 
is forced during the day by the exhaust steam from the en- 
gines, and during the night by live steam generated in the 
boilers by burning refuse slabs and sawdust. The barrels are 
made from staves cut from rejected lumber and slabs. 

The brine is of superior strength, and careful inspection 
by State authority, through a series of years, has, as a rule, 
kept the salt of unsurpassed chemical purity. 

The salt is obtained by evaporation, as stated above. 
The average depth of the wells is about 900 feet ; but there 
are productive wells from 1,000 to 2,000 feet in depth. 

The salt producing area is about See square miles in 
extent, and it is safe to presume that the supply is inex- 
haustible. 

In 1 88 7, there were 285 wells pumped, and the amount 
of salt produced, as reported by the State Salt Inspector, was 
3,944,309 barrels. The average price per barrel was 68 cents, 
making the total value of the product $2,682,130.12. 



26 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

GYPSUIVl. — Immense deposits of a very superior quality 
of gypsum have been found at Grand Rapids and also near 
Alabaster, Iosco county, on the shores of Lake Huron. 

The beds at Grand Rapids were discovered about 40 
years ago ; but it was not until 1856 that any considerable 
amount of plaster was produced. 

Here the deposit, which is about 13 feet in thickness, 
crops out at the surface, and it extends over an area of 10 to 
12 square miles. 

The rock is easily quarried, and when taken from the 
mine it is usually piled in large blocks and allowed to remain 
several months exposed to the atmosphere, in order that the 
moisture which it contains may be in a measure evaporated. 

When taken to the mill, the large lumps are broken with 
heavy hammers and the commodity is then passed through 
two heavy run of stone which crush it to powder. This is 
used as a land fertilizer or converted into plaster of Paris 
("stucco"). 

In 1887, there were 28,794 tons of land plaster and 
170,145 barrels of stucco produced. 

COAL. — It is estimated by geologists that one-fifth of the 
lower peninsula of Michigan is underlaid by coal-bearing de- 
posits ; but it has not yet been found in large quantities, and 
it is not sufficiently exposed to make exploration easy or cheap. 
The deposits are thin, exceeding nowhere 3 to 4 feet in thick- 
ness, generally much less. The mines are so low and wet 
that men do not like to work in them. 

In its natural state, the coal is too highly bituminous, or 
not pure enough, to make its use possible for smelting, black- 
smithing, or the manufacture of gas ; but it is said to be ex- 
cellent in making steam, and is liked for locomotive boilers. 

Jackson and Corunna are the only mining points of any 
importance, although a new mine has been opened at Grand 
Ledge, which may prove to be profitable. The entire product 
of coal in the State for 1887 was 36,544 tons. 



INDUSTRIES AND RESOURCES. 27 

STONE, SLATE AND EARTHS.— Michigan is rich in ^-^/z^- 
stones and Limestones of commercial importance. Building 
stone of excellent quality has been found at many points in 
the State, and quarries have been opened in Calhoun, Eaton, 
Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Marquette and Monroe counties. 
The Marquette brown stone is of particularly fine texture, 
and capable of receiving a high finish ; its supply is prac- 
tically inexhaustible. 

The Grindstones of the Huron county quarries have no 
superior in the northwest, and grindstones of good quality 
are found elsewhere in the State. 

The Slates of the Huron Bay District, in Baraga county, 
are of excellent quality. These quarries can be developed to 
an unlimited extent. 

The iron district produces a Quarts Rock which is sup- 
planting the foreign quartz, long imported for the lining of 
Bessemer steel converters, and similar purposes. 

Clays and Sands of commercial value are found in abun- 
dance in various parts of the state. 

Brick and Tile yards are numerous, and successful pot- 
teries are in operation at different points. 

At Raisinville, Monroe county, is found a superior quality 
of Glass Sand, s'uitable for use in the manufacture of the finer 
grades of glass. Lifne Kilns are common throughout the 
State. Valuable Marbles are amoung its rocks, and vast 
quantities of Peat exist, and must ultimately become valu- 
able for fuel. 

GOLD AND SILVER. — Gold bearing quartz has been found 
at various points in the Upper Peninsula, and a number of 
gold mining companies have been lately organized. The 
Ropes mine took out about $100,000 in 1889, and $11,000 in 
the month of February, 1890, where only $3.18 worth of gold 
to each ton of rock was found. Some quartz obtained on the 
land of the Michigan Gold Mine was estimated to assay not 
less than $50,000 to the ton. 

Native silver has been found in small quantities, but its 



28 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

systematic mining has never been attended in this State with 
profitable results. 

SECTION IV-MANUFACTURING. 

The manufacturing interests of Michigan are numerous 
and extensive, as might be expected from a State so rich in 
natural resources. The leading products are agricultural im- 
plements , railroad cars, furniture, stoves, wooden-ware, wag- 
ons and carriages, paper, barrels, chemicals and matches. The 
annual product of its flouring mills, foundries, furnaces and 
rolling mills, tanneries, shingle and saw mills, planing mills, 
sash, door and blind factories, brick and tile works, breweries, 
boot and shoe factories, and clothing establishments, must in 
each case be estimated by millions. 

The State census for 1884 showed 136 different varieties 
of articles, manufactured by 8,302 establishments. 

SECTION V-FISHERIES. 

Owing to the vast extent of lake coast, Michigan has the 
most productive fresh-water fisheries in the United States. 
The business is carried on at all the important towns on the 
shores of the great lakes. The number of fisheries in the 
State in 1884, was 316; capital invested, $702,365; average 
number of hands employed, 1,338. The use "of steam and 
sail vessels, together with the improved apparatus for taking 
fish, has greatly developed fishing as a commercial industry, 
so that large numbers of men are employed, and a large 
amount of capital is invested. 

Whitefish is the most important fish commercially; other 
varieties are lake ttout, sturgeon, bass, pickerel, herring, 
perch, eels and pike. Brook trout, grayling and black bass 
are the principal game fish. 

The supervision of the fishing interests of the State is 
entrusted to a Board of Fish Commissioners, and the laws tor 
the protection and preservation offish and fisheries are rigidly 
enforced. The State maintains three hatcheries for the artifi- 
cial propagation and cultivation oi fish, and extensive deposits 



INDUSTRIES AXD RESOURCES. 29 

of eggs and small fish are made yearly in the great lakes and 
inland waters, with a view to replenishing the supply of food 
fishes. > 

Up to 1S81, the commissioners had planted in the lakes 
and rivers about 80,000,000 young whitefish, 1,000,000 
silver eels, 1,000,000 lake trout, besides smaller numbers of 
shad, grayling, pike and bass. Excellent results have followed 
this work, especially in the multiplication of white fish, sal- 
mon and eels. 

During the winter season, large quantities, preserved TDy 
freezing, are taken to eastern markets, where they are readily 
sold at a high price. 

SECTION VI-WILD ANIMALS. 

The domestic animals in Michigan do not differ from 
those found in other states. 

Among the wild animals found by the early pioneers 
were the elk, the moose, caribou, deer, bear, wolf, lynx, 
panther, catamount, wildcat, fox, raccoon, rabbit, mink, 
beaver, porcupine, badger, besides other small fur-bearing 
animals not mentioned here. 

Of these the elk, moose, panther, catamount and beaver 
have probably become extinct, although a few individuals 
may yet remain in the dense woods of the Upper Peninsula.* 

The wolverene (or wolverine), the animal which has 
given the State its nickname, is now extremely rare, if not ut- 
terly extinct. 

The principal birds are the eagle, not yet extinct in the 
wilder parts of the State; the turkey-buzzard, now very rare; 
the wild turkey, woodcock, snipe, plover, duck, gull, pheasant, 
partridge, quail, prairie-chicken, pigeon, raven, hawk, owl, 
heron, crane, and other birds common to the Northern States. 

The reptiles of the State are neither very numerous nor 
venomous. The rattlesnake lingers in some localities, and 
other serpents are found to some extent. 

* "The last moose is believed to have been shot in 1869, on the Keweenaw Peninsula. 
His flesh was sold in the Houghton markets at 50 cents a pound." — Ford. 



30 GEOGRAPHY' OF MICHIGAN. 

SECTION VII COMMERCE. 

The advantages possessed by the State in the means of 
transportation are very great, and a large carrying trade has 
been developed. Communication from lake ports is easy, 
and the competition thus developed with the railroads insures 
low freight rates to the Atlantic seaboard. 

RAILROADS — Six important lines of railroad cross the 
southern peninsula in a general east and west direction. 

The Michigan Central extends from Buffalo to Chicago 
through Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Jackson, Battle Creek, 
Kalamazoo and Niles. There are several important branches 
of this road; the Saginaw and Mackinaw division extends 
from Jackson to Mackinaw, through Lansing Saginaw, West 
Bay City and Cheboygan. A five mile ferriage at the Straits 
of Mackinaw connects it with the Duluth, South Shore and 
Atlantic of the Upper peninsula. The Grand River Valley 
division extends from Jackson to Grand Rapids, through 
Charlotte and Hastings. 

The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern extends 
from Buffalo to Chicago, through Toledo, O., Adrian, Hills- 
dale and Coldwater. This road also owns numerous branches, 
one being from White Pigeon through Three Rivers, Kalama- 
zoo and Allegan to Grand Rapids; another line runs from 
Hillsdale through Albion and Eaton Rapids to Lansing. 

The Detroit, Lansing and Northern extends from 
Detroit to Howard City. Among the branches of this road 
are the Grand Rapids, Lansing and Saginaw, and the Grand 
Rapids, Lansing and Detroit. 

The Chicago and Grand Trunk extends from Chicago- 
to Port Huron, where it connects with the Canadian Grand 
Trunk for Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, and Portland, Me. 

The Flint and Pere Marquette extends from Luding- 
ton to Monroe, through Baldwin, Reed City, Saginaw and 
Flint. 

The Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee extends 
from Detroit to Grand Haven, through Grand Rapids, and 
connects by steamer with Milwaukee and Chicago. 



INDUSTRIES AND RESOURCES. 3 1 

There are also a number of north and south roads, which 
transport quantities of grain, coal and lumber. 

The Grand Rapids and Indiana extends from Mack- 
inaw to Richmond, Ind., through Petoskey, Cadillac, Reed 
City, Big Rapids, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Fort Wayne. 
Branches of this road run from Grand Rapids to Muskegon, 
and from Traverse City and Harbor Point to the main line. 

The Chicago and West Michigan passes through the 
"fruit belt" of the western shore, from Pentwater to New 
Buffalo. It has also a parellel line from Traverse City through 
Baldwin, Newaygo and Grand Rapids, joining the other 
division at Holland. 

The Mackinaw division of the Michigan Central, the 
Flint and Pere Marquette, and the Toledo, Ann Arbor and 
North Michigan, are also important north and south roads. 
Nearly all these Michigan railways have branches spreading 
over the Lower Peninsula, interlacing to form a complete net- 
work, so that the farming districts are well supplied, and 
nearly all the cities and towns have two or more railroads 
with their resulting competion. 

In the Upper Peninsula the transportation facilities by 
means of railroads have greatly increased during the last few 
years. There are now two important lines running east and 
west through the peninsula. These are The Duluth, South 
Shore and Atlantic, extending from Sault Ste. Marie and 
Pt. St. Ignace, through Marquette and Ishpeming to Hough- 
ton; and The Minneapolis, Sault Ste. Marie and At- 
lantic, extending from Minneapolis through the State of Wis 
consin to Sault Ste. Marie; it passes through Escanaba and 
Manistique. 

The Chicago and Nothwestern connecting Ishpeming, 
Marquette, Negaunee and Menominee with Milwaukee and 
Chicago; and The Milwaukee and Northern, extending 
from Chicago through Iron Mountain to Champion, traverse 
the iron mining districts, and carry most of the ore to the 
ake ports. 



32 



GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 



The following table, compiled from Wood's Railway- 
Guide, giving a list of the railroads of the State, with the 
length and termini of each, is intended for reference: 



RAILROADS 



Au Sable & Northwestern 

Cadillac & Northeastern 

Chicago & Grand Trunk 

Chicago, Kalamazoo & Saginaw 

Chicago 8: Northwestern and branches. 
Chicago & West Michigan 

Northern Division 

Newaygo Division 

Big Rapids Division 

Cincinnati, Jackson & Mackinaw 

Cincinnati, Saginaw & Mackinaw , 

Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan 

Detroit, Bay City & Alpena 

Detroit, Grand Haven i^ Milwaukee. ... 
Detroit, Lansing & Northern . . 

Grand Rapids, Lansing & Detroit. . 

Saginaw L)ivision and Branch 

Stanton Division 

Duluth, S. Shore & Atlantic & Branches 
Flint & Pere Marquette and Branches... 

Port Huron Division . . . . ; 

Sand Beach Division. 

Almnnt Division 

Frankfort & Southeastern 

Grand Rapids & Indiana and Branches.. 

Muskegon Division 

Traverse City Division 

Grand Trunk, Detroit Division 

Mich. Air Line Division 

Lake Shore & Michigan Southern.. 

Detroit Division 

Jackson Division 

Fort Wayne Division 

Lansing Division.. 

Grand Rapids Division 

Yysilanti Division 

Dundee Division.. 

Fayette Division 

Lowell it Hastings 

Manistee & Northeastern. 

Michigan Central 

Canada Division 

Air Luie Division 

Bay City Division 

Saginaw Division 

Mackinaw Division 

Grand Rapids Division 

North Midland Division 

Detroit & Toledo Divisio.n 

South Haven Division . . ... 

Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western.. 

Milwaukee & Northern 

Mineral Range 

Minn., St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie .... 

Pontiac, 0.\ford & Northern 

Saginaw, Tuscola & Huron 

St. Joseph Valley 

St. Louis. Stiirgis & Battle Creek 

Toledo, .'\nn Arbor 6t North Michigan. . 

Toledo, Saginaw & Muskegon 

Toledo & South H.iven 

Wabash 



37 
U 

335 

45 

.544 

L53 

103 

148 

55 

1.5(3 

59 

200 

105 

189 

353 

1.50 

12(5 

190 

.501 

373 

91 

70 

34 

25 

483 

40 

26 

59 

10(i 

540 

73 

4() 

100 

65 

95 

61 

69 

32 

15 

45 

285 

251 

103 

11)8 

114 

182 

94 

20 

94 

40 

462 

371 

25 

494 

KiO 

67 

U 

70 

274 

116 

37 

477 



CONNECTING 



Potts and Au Sable. 
Cadillac and Lake City. 
Chicago and Port Huron. 
Kalamazoo and Woodbury. 
Chicago and Ishpeming. 
Chicago and Grand Rapids. 
Allegan .and Pentwater. 
Grand Rapids and Traverse City. 
Muskegon and Big Rapids. 
Allegan ai.d Toledo. 
Durand and Oa-atka Beach. 
Benton Harbor and-lndianapohs. 
Detroit and Alpena. 
Detroit and Grand Haven. 
Detroit and Mackinaw. 
Detroit and Grand Rapids. 
Saginaw and Grand Rapids. 
Ionia and Big Rapids. [and Duluth. 

Pt.St.lgnace, Houghton, Sault Ste. Marie 
Monroe, Ludington, Manistee et al. 
Port Huron and East Saginaw. 
Port Huron and Sand Beach. 
Port Huron and Almont. 
Copemish and Frankfort. 
Mackinaw and Richmond, Indiana. 
Grand Rapids and Muskegon. 
Traverse City and Walton. 
Detroit and Ft. Gratiot. 
Jackson and Leno.v, 
Chicago and Buffalo. 
Adrian and Iletroit. 
Adrian and Jackson. 
Fort Wayne and Jackson. 
Lansing and Hillsdale. 
Grand Rapids and White Pigeon. 
Vpsilanti and Hillsdale. 
Adrian and Detroit. 
Adrian and Fayette. 
Lowell and Freeport. 
Manistee and Interlocken. 
Detroit and Chicago. 
Detroit anid Buffalo. 
Jackson and Niles. 
Bay City and Detroit. 
Bay City and Jackson. 
Bay City and Mackinaw. 
Grand Rapids and Jackson. 
Ray City and Midland. 
Detroit and Toledo. 
Kalamazoo and South Haven. 
Milwaukf-e and Duluth. 
Milwaukee, Ontonagon and Menominee. 
Houghton, Red Jacket and Lake Linden. 
Minneapnlis and Sault Ste. Marie. 
Pontiac and Caseville. 
East Saginaw and Bad Axe. 
Berrien Springs and Buchanan. 
Battle Creek and Goshen. 
Toledo and Copemish. 
Owosso .and Muskegon. 
Lawton and South Haven. 
Detroit and St. Louis, Mo. 



INDUSTRIES AND RESOURCES. 33 

There are several logging railroads in the Lower Penin- 
sula, constructed for the business of their owners, a few of 
which have been opened to the public. 

In December, 1889, there were 6,759.55 niiles of railroads 
in Michigan. 

CANALS. — ^There are no interior canals in the Lower 
Peninsula. "In Macomb county there is a short work of this 
kind, which is now used only for its water power, and is all 
that represents a project of the early days of the State for 
connecting the Clinton and Kalamazoo rivers and thus unit- 
ing the waters of Lakes Michigan and St. Clair." 

The Upper Peninsula has an important ship canal across 
Keweenaw Point, connecting Portage Lake and Lake Superior, 
thus enabling vessels to avoid a detour of 120 miles around 
the peninsula. It was built by a private corporation which 
still owns and controls it, collecting tolls at a low rate for its 
use. 

Two first- class ship canals, situated on waters which 
form part of the State's boundary line, facilitate the naviga- 
tion of the great lakes. They are located at the head of the 
St. Mary's river in the Upper Peninsula and at the mouth of 
the St. Clair river in Lake St. Clair. Both are the property 
of the general government, and their use is not subject to 
to. tolls or charges of any kind. 

The St. Mary's canal and lock was completed by the 
State in 1855. The greater part of it was cut through the 
solid rock around the rapids which have, within the space of 
three-quarters of a mile, a fall of 22 feet. It was 100 feet 
wide at the surface and was one mile in length. The lock 
was 370 feet long, 70 feet wide and had a lift of 12 feet. In 
1 88 1, a new lock was built by the United States Government 
and the canal was otherwise greatly enlarged and improved. 

Lake Superior has thus been opened to the navigators of 
the lower lakes, and vessels of a capacity of over 2,000 tons 
and drawing sixteen feet of water, can now sail from Duluth 



34 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN, 

direct M Buffalo. The annual report of the superintendent of 
this canal for iS88 shows that it was open 232 days in the 
year and that 8,832 vessels having 6,932,203 freight tons 
passed through. In addition to the lumber that passed 
through the canal, 35,000,000 feet of logs were rafted over 
the rapids. The cost of running the canal during the year 
was $30,625.45. 

The St. Clair canal was completed in 1871, at a cost of 
$653,550. It was built by the Government for the relief of 
navigators, whose vessels were frequently grounded on "The 
Flats" of Lake St. Clair. It is 8,200 feet long, 200 feet wide 
and 16 feet deep. "A light-house is maintained at each end, 
and a large number of artificial islets have been made, for 
sites of club-houses and summer resorts and residences." 



PART" III. 

EDUCATION ^ND THE: SXATTK 

iNSTrn^unriONS. 

SECTION l-THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. 

The educational system of Michigan is laid upon the 
broad foundation of the common schools and it is crowned 
and completed by the University. Between these are other 
institutions, each of which has its appropriate place in the 
system. 

The public schools are classified as graded and ungraded, 
the former are found in the cities and villages, and the latter 
in the country districts where the population is scattered. 
The graded schools are divided into primary, grammar and 
high schools, each of these divisions retaining the scholar 
ordinarily four years. At the end of the course the student 
is ready for the University, to which, under certain restric- 
tions, he is admitted on diploma from the high schools. 

In 1889, the number of graded districts was 503, and the 
number of ungraded districts, 6,642. All districts having less 
than 30 children must maintain school at least three montlis 
in the year; if there are more than thirty children, the school 
must be open five months; if more than eight hundred child- 
ren, nine months. A school census of all children between 5 
and 20 years of age is taken annually in each district. In 
1889, the number was 640,069, of whom 423.604 were en- 
rolled in the schools. Attendance in the public, or in private 
schools, for at least four months in each school year is com- 
pulsory upon all children between the ages of 8 and 14 years. 

The immediate administration of the schools is entrusted 
to the districts themselves and to the school officers elected 



36 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

annually by the people; but the State exercises a general 
supervision over the system through its Superintendent of 
Public Instruction. 

The revenue for the support of the schools is derived 
from three principal sources, viz: 

/. Tlie Primary School Fund. This is the interest of the 
permanent fund in the hands of the State, arising from the 
sale of primary school lands. It originated as follows- 
When the public lands of the United States were sold to 
private purchasers, the Government promised to set apart 
one section of land in each township for educational pur- 
poses.* The money derived from the sales of these sections 
in Michigan was given to the State, for the use of the public 
schools. This is called "the primary school fund." 

Only the interest of this fund can be used, and this is 
a[)portioned each year among the school districts, each dis- 
trict receiving a sum proportioned to the number of school 
children in the district. The total income is annually over 
$600,000. (In 1889 it was $827,773.44). 

2. The One-Mill Tax. On all the taxable property of the 
State, there is levied an annual tax of one-mill on the dollar 
for school purposes. It amounts on an average to about one 
dollar per child. In 1S89 it was $672,465.09. 

J. Direct School Tax. The Board of Education, or 
School Trustees, make an estimate of the money necessary to 
meet the expenses of the schools, and submit this estimate to 
the people or their representatives. If this is approved, the 
Supervisors assess the tax on the taxable property according 
to valuation. The school tax is about one-third of the whole 
amount of the direct taxes for all purposes. The sum raised 
in this way in 1889 was $3,395 030.29. 

School Libraries. Every township is required to main- 
tain a township library, or a school library in each district. 

* All the public lands of the United States are laid out in townships, each of which is 
six miles square; and each township is subdivided into thirty-six sections, each containing 
a square mile. 



EDUCATION AND THE STATE INSTITUTIONS. 37 

All money received from fines for criminal cases, is applied to 
the purchase of books, and a part of the one-mill tax may 
also be appropriated for this purpose. 

A total amount of more than $6,000,000 was thus raised 
in 1889 for school purposes, more than one-half of which was 
used to pay the salaries of over 16,000 teachers. 

SECTION H-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 

In addition to the Public Schools, already described, the 
State maintains four higher institutions of learning, each in 
its sphere designed to provide the means of securing the kind 
and amount ot special training desired. 

I. The University. It was established at Ann Arbor 
in 1837, and hence has had an existence of 53 years. Within 
that time its corps of three instructors has grown to 82, and 
its list of students, which in its first catalogue contained but 
53 names has reached a total of more than 2,000. 

The governing body of the institution is a Board of Re- 
gents, elected by popular vote for terms of eight years, as 
provided in the constitution of the State. 

The University has a permanent endowment fund derived 
from the sale of lands dedicated to that purpose. It also re- 
ceives for its support a twentieth of a mill tax on all the tax- 
able property of the State, and an annual State appropriation. 
Students who reside in the State pay an entrance fee of $10, 
while for non-residents it is $25. The annual fees for inci- 
dental expenses vary from $20 to $50. 

The University comprises the following departments: 

1. The Department of Literature, Science and the Arts. 

2. The Department of Medicine and Surgery. 

3. The Department of Law. 

4. The School of Pharmacy. 

5. The Homoeopathic Medical College. 

6. The College of Dental Surgery. 

Each of these departments has its faculty of instruction, 
which is charged with its special management. The regular 



38 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

term in college covers four years; in the medical and dental 
schools three years, and in the law school two years. For i6 
years women have been admitted on equal terms with men. 

The University possesses a fine astronomical observatory 
containing a large telescope and other valuable apparatus; 
also valuable libraries, containing, in the aggregate, nearly 
75,000 volumes and pamphlets. The laboratories are fully 
equipped, and the museums are supplied with numerous and 
varied collections. Two valuable gifts have lately been made, 
viz: The Lewis Art Gallery now in Coldwater, and the Rogers 
collection of Arts. 

In the hospitals, patients are received and treated with- 
out charge, except for board and medicines, by the best of 
specialists, who are numbered among the medical faculty. 
This affords a good clinical school for the medical students. 

2. The Norisial School, at Ypsilanti, is a training and 
practice school designed to fit teachers for work in the com- 
mon schools. Students of either sex who can pass an exam- 
ination in the common English branches, and who will declare 
in writing that they propose to devote themselves to the busi- 
ness of teaching, are admitted. A tuition fee of ^10 per year 
is required, and each member of the State Legislature is 
entitled to appoint two students who are entered free of 
charge. 

3. The Agricultural College, at Lansing, was the 
first State institution of the kind founded in the United States. 
It was located in 1857 on a farm of 676 acres, three miles 
from the capitol building. The leading object of this institu- 
tion is to teach such branches as are related to agriculture. 

The farm is well stocked and provided with fine build- 
ings, barns, orchards, fruit and vegetable gardens, an aviary, 
extensive lawns, and a large greenhouse. A large portion of 
it is under systematic cultivation, and the students are re- 
quired to work on the farm or garden three hours daily, for 
which they are paid according to the work done. 



EDUCATION AND THE STATE INSTITUTIONS. 



39 



Tuition is free, and students who choose to apply them- 
selves, can support themselves by the work 'done on the farm, 
and obtain a thorough English education and training in all 
the practical sciences. Among the practical subjects taught 
are surveying, leveling and laying out of grounds, building, 
stock breeding, mechanics as applied to implements, agricul- 
tural chemistry, horticulture, etc. 

4. The Mining School, located at Houghton, was 
opened to students in September, 1886. 

This school was organized to enable students to obtain a 
full knowledge of the science, art, and practice of mining, and 
the application of machinery thereto. 

Provision has been made for obtaining a complete collec- 
tion of the minerals of the Upoer Peninsula, and for col- 
lecting and preserving information in regard to its mineral 
resources. 

Its location in the Upper Peninsula enables the student 
to see, in actual operation, some of the most successful and 
vast mining operations conducted anywhere, thus placing 
him in an atmosphere in which all his surroundings and 
associations are in conformity with his present and future 
work. 

Besides these institutions, there are other schools and 
colleges supported by religious denominations, and by 
private enterprise. Among these may be mentioned the fol- 
lowing: 



NAME OF INSTITUTION. 


LOCATION. 


DENOMINATION. 


Adrian College 




Methodist Protestant. 


Albion College 


Albion 


Methodist Episcopal. 


Alma College 


Alma 




Battle Creek College 


Battle Creek 

Hillsdale 




Hillsdale College 


Free Will Baptists. 


Hope College 


Holland 




Kalamazoo College 

Olivet College 


Kalamazoo 

Olivet.. 


Baptist. 


Mi;higan Female Seminary 


Kalamazoo 


Presbyterian. 




Detroit 




Michigan Military Academy 


Orchard Lake 


Non-sectarian, 



40 GEOGRAPHV OF MICHIGAN. 

SECTION ni-CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. 

In addition to the educational institutions described in 
Section II, there are others which have been established and 
maintained by the State. These will now be described. The 
first three may properly be called charitable-educational in- 
stitutions. 

1. The School for the Deaf, located at Flint, is the 
oldest of the charitable institutions. It was opened in 1854 
and was originally intended as a school for deaf mutes and for 
the blind; the latter were received in the institution until the 
opening of the School for the Blind, at Lansing, in 1879. 
The deaf mutes are taught all the common English branches, 
in the sign language. Instruction is also given in articulation, 
and many of the pupils learn to talk intelligibly by watching 
the position of the lips and vocal organs of the teachers and 
by imitating them. The boys are taught farming, cabinet- 
making, shoe-making and printing, and the girls, sewing, 
knitting, printing and housework. 

2. The School for the Blind, at Lansing, is similar 
in its plan to that for deaf mutes. The instruction in read- 
ing and writing is given by means pf raised and also by per- 
forated letters. The latter system is much liked by the blind 
students, as in this way they can read not only books prepared 
for their use, but their own writing and that of their class 
mates. 

Basket-making, broom-making, piano tuning, and sewing, 
knitting and bead-work are taught in the School for the 
Blind. 

No charge is made in either the School for the Blind or 
for Deaf Mutes, to Michigan pupils, and indigent pupils are 
provided with suitable clothing to the amount of ^^40. 00 per 
year. 

3. The State Public School, the first state institution 
of the kind founded in the world, was located on a tarm near 
Coldwater, in 1S74. It is intended for the support, instruction 
and manual training of the dependent children of the State. 



EDUCATION AND THE STATE INSTITUTIONS. 4 1 

Children from three to twelve years of age, who are free from 
contagious diseases, are received, comfortably clothed, fed 
and taught; and when they are old enough, they are trained to 
work on the farm or in the dining-room, kitchen, bakery, 
laundry or engine-room. 

The children are divided into families, each occupying a 
cottage, and being under the care of a lady cottage-manager. 
Thus they have the surroundings and influences of a well- 
/egulated home. A good school is maintained, which each 
child is obliged to attend. 

As soon as possible, suitable homes are found for the 
children in private families. When this is done, a contract is 
required that they will be properly treated as members of the 
family, and educated. If this contract is violated, or the 
children prove unmanageable, they are returned to the School. 
Homes are found in a similar way for boys and girls from the 
two Reform Schools, who are without suitable homes, and 
who show evidence of reformation. 

In this way, abandoned and neglected children, instead 
of growing up in idleness and crime, are well cared for, and 
placed in the way of becoming useful citizens. 

4. The Soldier's Home is located at Grand Rapids, 
and was founded in 1885, to furnish an asylum for all "honor- 
ably discharged Union Soldiers and Sailors of the Civil War, 
who would otherwise be dependent upon charity." It is, of 
course, restricted to residents of the State. 

5. The Asylums for the Insane are three in number, 
located, respectively, at Kalamazoo, Pontiac and Traverse 
City. The cost of maintaining indigent patients is charged 
to the counties from which they are sent, for the first two 
years, after which they become a charge of the State. 
Patients who are able to pay are charged for care at a rate 
determined by the trustees of the three asylums, jointly: 

6. There is also an AsvluiM for Insane Criminals con- 
nected with the House of Correction at Ionia. 



42 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

SECTION IV-REFORMATORY INSTITUTIONS. 

1. The Reform School for Boys, at Lansing, is estab- 
lished for the purpose of reclaiming children who have been 
subject to evil influences, and have entered upon a life of vice 
and crime. Boys between the ages of ten and sixteen who 
have been convicted of offenses not punishable by law with 
imprisonment for life, may be sent to this school, and kept 
there until they are seventeen years of age. The Board of 
Control has the power to liberate any inmate who has been 
so far reformed as to justify his discharge, or to bind any in- 
mate for a number of years to suitable persons. It may also 
give boys leave of absence for a limited period or during 
good behavior. 

The aim of the school is to develop industrial and moral 
habits; to educate and throw around young offenders the in- 
fluences of home life; and to inculcate the habit of cheerful 
and prompt obedience to lawful authority. 

All are obliged to attend school about five hours each 
day, and they are also employed during a portion of each 
day in some of the following industrial occupations : Chair 
caning, tailoring, baking, shoemaking, farming and printing. 

2. The Industrial Home for Girls, at Adrian, has the 
same general plan and aim as the Reform School. It is 
designed for the reformation of wayward girls between the 
ages of ten and seventeen ; and they may be retained until 
they are twenty-one years of age, unless they earn an earlier 
discharge by good behavior. 

The girls are placed in cottages, the inmates of each cot- 
tage forming a family and being in charge of a cottage-man- 
a<^er. They are taught all kinds of domestic work, sewing, 
gardening, and care of the grounds, besides having a half of 
each day in the school room. During the last two years the 
experiment of placing girls in approved families has been 
tried with marked success. 

SECTION V. -PENAL INSTITUTIONS. 

Three penal institutions are supported by the State. The 
House of Correction at Ionia, for prisoners convicted of 



EDUCATION AND THE STATE INSTITUTIONS. 43 

minor offences ; the State Prison at Jackson ; and the 
House of Correction and Branch of the State Prison at 
Marquette, for the Upper Peninsula. The industries of these 
institutions are managed under the contract system, the labor 
being let to outside manufacturing establishments. 

Persons convicted of crimes not punishable by imprison- 
ment at Jackson or Ionia, are sent to the Detroit House of 
Correction, a first-class penitentiary belonging to the city of 
Detroit. Contracts are made by this institution for the keep- 
ing of not only Michigan and United States prisoners, but of 
those from newer states and territories without suitable 
prisons. The term of confinement here varies from sixty days 
to life sentences. The Detroit House of Correction is not a 
State institution, but is under State inspection. _ It is the only 
prison for women in the State. 



^ii> 



PART IV. 

Civile QOVBRNMBNTT. 

SECTION l-STATE GOVERNMENT. 

Departments of Government. — The Government of the 
State is divided into three departments : The executive, the 
legislative and the judicial. The legislative department 
makes the laws, the judicial interprets them, and the executive 
carries them into effect. 

the executive department. 

At the general election which occurs every two years, in 
November, certain executive offices are elected. They are 
called State officers because their duties pertain to the whole 
State. They are the following : 

Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary of State, 
Treasurer, Auditor General, Commissioner of the Land Office, 
Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

Governor. — The Governor is the chief executive officer 
of the State. It is his duty to look after the general interests 
of the State, and to see that the laws are faithfully executed. 
He is required — 

1. To give the legislature information of the condition 
of the State, call their attention to any subjects upon which 
legislation is needed, and recommend such measures as he 
may deem expedient. 

2. To convene the legislature when matters arise which 
require their immediate attention. 

3. To preserve peace and good order within the State, 
and suppress riots and mobs. To this end he is commander- 
in-chief of all the military forces of the State. 

4. To fill vacancies in State offices, and to appoint cer- 
tain State Boards. 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 45 

The Governor has power to grant pardons, or to lessen 
the severity of a sentence. 

To be eligible to the office of Governor, a man must have 
been a Citizen of the United States at least five years, and a 
resident of the State for two years next before the election. 
He must be not less than thirty years of age. 

Lieutenant-Governor. — The Lieutenant Governor is 
the President of the Senate. If a vacancy in the office of 
Governor exists the Lieutenant Governor performs the duties 
of the chief executive. His qualifications are the same as 
those of Governor. 

Secretary of State. — This officer preserves certain 
books and papers belonging to the State, and the records of 
the official acts and proceedings of the legislative and execu- 
tive departments. He countersigns all commissions and pro- 
clamations issued by the Governor, attends to the publication 
and distribution of the laws of the State, receives reports from 
corporations organized under the State law, and supervises 
the census enumeration every ten years. 

Treasurer. — The Treasurer receives and has charge of 
all money belonging to the State. He is required to make an 
annual report to the legislature of all money received and 
paid out by him during the year and the balance remaining in 
the treasury. 

Auditor General. — The Auditor General is required to 
examine the Treasurer's accounts monthly, and report to the 
legislature. No money can be paid out of the treasury except 
on the warrant of the Auditor General, and all receipts for 
money paid to the Treasurer must be countersigned by him. 
He superintends the collection of money due to the State, and 
apportions the State tax among the counties; he issues war- 
rants to the State Treasurer for all claims paid by the State. 

Commissioner of the Land Office.-— This officer has 
charge of all lands belonging to the State, or in which the 



46 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

State has an interest, and he is authorized to sell or dispose 
of them in such manner as may be prescribed by law. 

The Attorney General. — The Attorney General is 
required to give his opinion upon all questions of law sub- 
mitted to him by any State officer or by the legislature. He 
must also give advice to Prosecuting Attorneys, in all matters 
pertaining to the duties ot their office, when so requested by 
them. He must prosecute and defend all actions in the Su- 
preme Court, in which the State is interested, and appear for 
the people of the State in all suits, when requested by the 
Governor or by the Legislature. 

Superintendent of Public Instruction. — This officer 
has general supervision of the public schools, and State edu- 
cational institutions; collects the school statistics of the State; 
apportions the primary school interest fund to the counties; 
organizes teachers' institutes and appoints instructors for 
them; receives reports from superintendents of schools and 
from all State and chartered educational institutions, makes 
reports to the Gorvernor, and compiles and publishes the 
School laAvs; visits all State educational institutions and 
meets with the governing boards of such at least once in each 
year; appoints visitors to the State University, aijd all char- 
tered educational institutions, and prepares all questions used 
in the examination of teachers throughout the State. 

Boards and Commissioners. — Certain boards and com- 
missioners are selected to assist the Governor in the perior- 
mance of his duties. They have the general supervision and 
control of various State institutions, and they perform duties 
which concern the welfare of the whole state. These boards 
and commissioners are appointed by the Governor, or are 
elected by the people, or they are State officers, who, by vir- 
tue of their office, serve on certain boards. 

The following are some of the more important State 
Boards: Board of Auditors, Board of Canvassers, Board of 
Equalization, Board of Geological Survey, Board of Health, 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 47 

Board of Corrections and Charities, Board of Pharmacy, 
Board of Regents, State Board of Agriculture and State Board 
of Education. 

THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT. 

The Legislature. — The State Legislature is composed 
of two houses: 

1. The Senate. 

2. The House of Representatives. 

The Senate consists of thirty-two members and the House 
of Representatives of one hundred. The Legislature enacts 
laws, devises means for raising money to meet the public 
expenses of the State, and perform such other duties as the 
Constitution and laws of the State require. The members of 
the Legislature are elected at the same time that State and 
County officers are, and for a term of two years. 

The State is divided into thirty-two senatorial districts, 
and each district elects one Senator. The representatives are 
elected by the people, one in each of the one hundred repre- 
sentative districts in the State. 

The Legislature meets every two years, at Lansing, on 
the first Wednesday in January following the election of mem- 
bers. The room in which the Senate meets is called the 
Senate Chamber, and the one in which the Representatives 
meet is called Representative Hall. Each Senator and Rep- 
resentative takes an oath to suppont the Constitution of the 
United States, and of Michigan, and to faithfully discharge 
the duties of his office to the best of his ability. 

Presiding Officers. The presiding officer of the Senate 
is the Lieutenant-Governor; he is called the President of the 
Senate. The House of Representatives chooses one of its 
members to preside over it; he is called the Speaker. These 
officers preserve order and see that the business before their 
respective houses is properly attended to. 

Message. — When the two houses are ready for business 
the Governor presents to them his message. This is a written 
statement of the condition of State affairs, with recommenda- 
tions for such action as he deems necessarv or desirable. 



48 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

Standing Committees. — In each house, soon after its 
organization, about forty-two committees are appointed by 
the presiding officers. "Standing committee" is another 
name for permanent committee. In these committees a great 
part of the business of the Legislature is transacted. When a 
subject is presented to either house, it is first referred to some 
standing committee, aud after it has been properly considered, 
it is reported back to the house in one of three ways: 

1. Without recommendation. 

2. With amendments. 

3. With the recommendation that it be passed. 

How a L.aw is Made. — Subjects may be presented to the 
Legislature in three ways: 

1. By the Governor. 

2. By petitions from the people. 

3. By bills presented by members of the Legislature. 

A bill is a draft of a proposed law. When a bill is pre- 
sented to one of the houses, it is first referred to some com- 
mittee, who examines and returns it either without recom- 
mendation, or with amendments, or with the recommendation 
that it be passed. After the bill is reported back to the house 
by the committee, it must be read three times by the clerk to 
the house before the final vote. After a bill has passed one 
house it is sent to the other and voted upon. If it passes that 
house it is sent to the Governor to receive his signature, and 
if he signs it the bill becomes a law. if he does not approve 
of the bill, he refuses to sign it, and returns it with his objec- 
tions to the house in which it originated. This action of the 
Governor is called a veto. Notwithstanding the veto, if two- 
thirds of the members of each house shall afterwards vote for 
the bill, it becomes a law without his consent. If the Gover- 
nor should not return the bill within ten days, not including 
Sundays, it becomes a law without his signature. 

United States Senators. — Besides making laws, the 
legislature elects United States Senators. Each State is 
entitled to two Senators in Congress, who hold their office six 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 49 

years. The present Senators from Michigan are Senators 
McMillan of Detroit, and Stockbridge of Kalamazoo. 

THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT. 

The Judicial department explains and applies the laws, 
and administers justice according to the laws. This depart- 
ment consists of the various courts which rise in importance 
and power by regular steps from the lowest to the highest. 

Courts. — The Judicial power is vested in the following 
courts : 

A Supreme Court. Circuit Courts, Probate Courts, Muni- 
cipal Courts, Justices' Courts. 

Supreme Court. —The Supreme Court is the highest 
judicial court in the State. Its chief duty is to decide whether 
the cases appealed have been properly tried or not. The 
Supreme Court consists of one Chief Justice and four Associ- 
ate Judges, who are elected for a term of ten years, one being 
elected every two years. The Judge whose term of office 
first expires, or, in other words, who has served as Judge eight 
years, becomes Chief Justice. This Court meets at Lansing, 
and four terms are held annually. 

Circuit Courts. — The State is divided into twenty-eight 
districts, or judicial circuits, in each of which a Circuit Judge 
is elected for a term of six years. A judicial circuit embraces 
usually two or more counties, but in thickly populated districts 
may contain but one. These Courts have jurisdiction in 
grave offenses, and are usually held four times a year in each 
county. If either party in a suit be dissatisfied with a decision 
ot the Circuit Court, the case may be appealed to the next 
higher Court, which is the Supreme Court. 

Probate Court. — There is a Probate Court in each 
county, presided over by a Probate Judge. This Court has 
charge of matters relating to the estates of deceased persons ; 
it has power to decide whether a document supposed to be a 
deceased person's will is legal or not, to appoint guardians for 



50 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

minors and to exercise general control over their estates. It 
may also appoint persons to settle the estate ol any one who 
dies without making a will. Cases may be appealed from this 
Court to the Circuit Court. The Probate Judge is elected for 
a term of four years. 

Municipal Courts. — In large cities like Detroit and 
Grand Rapids, where there is too much business for the ordi- 
nary Courts, other Courts are established by special act of the 
Legislature. These are called Municipal Courts. The 
Superior Court and the Police Court are of this kind ; the 
Superior Court being of the same grade as the Circuit Court, 
and the Police Court as the Justice Court, although Police 
Courts have no jurisdiction in civil cases. 

Justice Courts. — The lowest Courts are the Justice 
Courts, held in every township and city by Justices of the 
Peace. These have jurisdiction over cases of comparatively 
small importance. After a case has been tried in a Justice 
Court, it may be appealed to- the next higher Court for a new 
trial. This is done when one of the parties in a suit is dissat- 
isfied with the decision of a Justice Court. Justices of the 
Peace are elected for a term of four years. Usually four are 
elected in each township and city. 

Juries. — A body of men selected according to law, to 
inquire into and try any matter of fact and to declare the truth 
of it, is a jury. There are two kinds of juries : 

1. Grand Juries. 

2. Petit Juries. 

Grand Jury. — This is a jury of not less than sixteen, and 
generally not more than twenty-three well-informed men, 
who are summoned to decide whether there is sufficient evi- 
dence against a person accused of a crime to warrant his 
prosecution. At least twelve of them must decide that there 
is sufficient ground for a trial;* and they present a written 
accusation, called an indictment, to the court. The accused 
is then held for trial. 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 5 I 

Another method of procedure, and the one most common 
in this St^te, is for the complaint to be made before a Justice 
of the Peace, who holds an examination of the accused, and if 
probably guilty he is bound over to the Circuit Court for trial. 

Petit Jurv. — This is a jury which hears testimony for 
and against the accused, (if it be a criminal case) and decides 
whether he is guilty or innocent of the crime charged. It 
must unanimously agree as to the guilt of a person before 
sentence can be passed upon him. After an accused person 
has been acquitted he can not be tried again on the same 
charge. 

In a Justice court a petit Jury consists of six persons ; in 
a higher court, of twelve persons. Petit Juries sit in civil as 
well as in criminal ckses. 

Notaries Public. — These are appointed by the Governor 
and confirmed by the Senate. Their term of office is four 
years. They are authorized to administer oaths, to take sworn 
statements in writing, called affidavits, and to perform various 
other duties connected with legal and commercial papers. 

.REVIEW outline. 
DEPARTMENTS. 

I. Executive. 2. Legislative. 3. Judicial. 
I. executive department. 
I. Object, to enforce the laws. 
II. The Governor of the State, the chief officer. 

1. Qualifications for Governor and Lieutenant-Governor. 

2. When and how chosen. 

3. Term of office. 

4. Salary. 

5. Powers and duties. 
III. Other executive officers. 

1. Term of office of each. 

2. Salary of each. 

3. Powers and duties of each. 

2. legislative department. 
I. Object, to make the laws. 
II. Senate. 



52 



GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 



IV 



Number of members. 
When and how chosen. 
Term of office. 
Duties. 
III. House of Representatives. 
Number of members. 
When and how chosen. 
Term of office. 
Duties. 
The Legislature. 
Sessions. 

Powers and duties. 
Salaries of members. 
Bills passed, how? 

3. JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT. 

I. Object, to interpret and apply the laws. 
II. Courts. 

r. Judges — how chosen — term of office of each. 
2. Jurisdiction of each court. 

III. Juries. 

1. Grand Jury — composition and duties of 

2. Petit jury — composition and duties of. 

3. Drawing of jurors. 

IV. Notaries Public — duties of. 

SECTION tl-COUNTIES AND TOWNSHIPS. 
COUNTIES. 

It would not be possible for the different State depart- 
ments to attend to the public business, and the special wants 
of every part of the State. The State is accordingly divided 
into counties, and officers are appoined in each county to at- 
tend to its more immediate interests.* 

County Seat. — In every county, some town is selected 
where the business of the county is transacted. This is called 
the county seat. Here there is a court house, a jail, county 
offices and other public buildings. 

*There are eiahty-four counties in tlie St.ite. fifteen iif which are in or near the Upper 
Peninsula. 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 53 

County Officers. — At the general election, when State 
officers are elected, the following county officers are also 
elected : Sheriff, Clerk, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Prose- 
cuting Attorney, Surveyor, Coroners, Circuit Court Commis- 
sioners, Probate Judge. These officers, with the exception of 
Probate Judge, are elected for two years. 

The Sheriff. — The sheriff is the principal executive 
officer of the county. He is required to preserve peace and 
good order within the county ; to attend all sessions of the 
Circuit Court, and preserve order in the court room, and 
execute all writs and orders of the court, and to take charge 
of the county jail. The sheriff appoints an under-sheriff and 
deputies to assist him in the performance of his duties. 

Clerk. — -The County Clerk is the clerk of the Board of 
Supervisors, and is also clerk of the Circuit Court when it is 
held within the county. He is required to keep a journal of 
the proceedings of the Circuit Court, and preserve all books 
and papers belonging to the office. He issues marriage 
licenses, and keeps a record of the births, deaths and mar- 
riages within the county, besides performing various other 
duties. 

Treasurer. — The County Treasurer receives and has 
charge of all the money belonging to the county. He receives 
from the Township Treasurers the State tax, and pays it over 
to the State Treasurer. He also conducts the annual sale of 
lands on which the taxes have not been pai^. 

Register of Deeds. — It is the duty of the Register of 
Deeds to, keep a register of all deeds, mortgages and other 
papers relating to real property and which are required by law 
to be recorded. In this way it can be readily ascertained 
when property is mortgaged, and to what extent, and whether 
the legal title is good or 'not. All transfers of property and 
legal instruments are in this way preserved, and can easily be 
referred to at any time, by interested parties. 

Prosecuting Attorney. — The Prosecuting Attorney is 
the legal officer of the county. It is his duty to prosecute all 



54 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

persons who have been guilty of any crime within the county^ 
give legal advice to county ofificers in matters relating to their 
duties when so requested, and prosecute and defend all suits 
in the county in which the county is interested. 

Surveyor. — The Surveyor makes such surveys in the 
county as are required. He determines the location and 
boundaries of lands, and keeps a record of all surveys made. 
All surveys are required to be made in accordance with cer • 
tain principles established by law, so that there may be a uni- 
form system in the several counties of the State. 

Coroners. — Two Coroners are elected in each county to 
investigate the causes of all sudden and suspicious deaths 
within the county. Coroners are sometimes required to per- 
form the duties of a sheriff. This is when the sheriff is an in- 
terested party in a suit. 

Circuit Court Commissioners. — In each county of the 
State there is a Circuit Court Commissioner, and in some of 
the more prosperous counties there are two. They are auth- 
orized to perform many of the duties that a Circuit Judge 
would be obliged to perform, if it were not for their assistance. 

Probate Judge. — See Judicial Department. 

Board of Supervisors. — In each county there is a 
Board of Supervisors, consisting of one from each township 
and one from each ward of a city. The Board of Supervis- 
ors is a legislative body. The Supervisors have the general 
care and supervision of the county buildings; provide for the 
raising of money to meet the current expenses of the county; 
fix the salaries of certain county ofificers; apportion -the State 
and county tax among the several townships; equalize the 
taxes among the townships of the county; examine and settle 
all claims against the county; divide the county into represen- 
tative districts, and form new townships and alter the boun- 
daries of others. Supervisors are elected for one year. 

Superintendents of the Poor. — In every county three 
Superintendents of the Poor are elected by the Board of 
Supervisors. They have the care of the poor of the county. 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 55 

the general management of the county poor-house, and are 
also inspectors of the jails. 

RECAPITULATION. 
COUNTY OFFICERS. 

r Sheriff. 
Clerk. 
Treasurer. 
Executive -> Register of Deeds. 

Prosecuting Attorney. 
Surveyor. 
Coroners. 
^ Superintendents of the Poor. 
( Circuit Judge. 
Judicial s Circuit Court Commissioners. 
( Probate Judge. 
Legislative — Board of Supervisors. 

TOWNSHIPS. 

Each county is divided into townships. The township is 
the smallest division of our political system. (A ward in a 
city corresponds to a township in the county.) 

Meetings. — The annual meeting of each .township is 
held on the first Monday in April, at which time officers are 
elected, money is appropriated to meet the expenses of the 
township, and matters of interest connected with the township 
are discussed. Special meetings may be called by the Town- 
ship Board. 

Officers. — The following township officers are elected 
annually, excepting the Justices of the Peace, who are elected 
for four years, and School Inspector and Drain Commissioner, 
who are elected for two years; Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer, 
School Inspector, Highway Commissioner, Drain Commis- 
sioner, Justices of the Peace, Constables. 

[Learn the powers and duties of each of the above.] 
Township officers do not receive a salary, but are paid 
for each day necessarily devoted by them to the service of 
the township. 



56 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

SECTION lll-CITIES AND VILLAGES. 

CITIES. 

A city is a corporate town, governed by a Mayor and a 
Board of Aldermen, called a Common Council. A city is 
said to be incorporated when certain powers are conferred 
upon it by the Legislature. The instrument by which it is in- 
corporated is called a charter. A charter is really the consti- 
tution of the city, as it defines the duties and powers of the 
city officers and of the Common Council. 

Officers. — In all cities, two classes of officers are 
elected: 

1. City Officers. 

2. Ward Officers. 

The City Officers are: Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer, Comp- 
troler, Marshal, Director of the Poor. 

Mayor. — The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the 
city. He stands in about the same relation to the city that 
the Governor does to the State. It is his duty to look after 
the general interests of the city, and see that the laws of the 
city, and the ordinances and regulations of the council are 
enforced. He is the presiding officer of the council, and he 
is required from time to time to give information to them 
concerning the affairs of the city, and to recommend such 
measures as he may think best. In order to keep peace and 
good order within the city, he may exercise the powers con- 
ferred upon a sheriff, and summon to his assistance all able- 
bodied men in the city. 

Clerk. — The Clerk is required to "keep a record of the 
proceedings of the Common Council, preserve all books, 
papers and records of the city, and countersign and register 
all city licenses. He also keeps a record of chattel mortgages, 
and is the custodi.^n of all bonds. He also keeps the seal 
of the city. 

Treasurer. — The Treasurer receives and has charge of 
all money belonging the city, and keeps an account of all 
receipts and expenditures. 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 57 

Comptroller. — The Comptroller is the general account- 
ant of the city; he examines all claims against the city and 
reports them to the Common Council for payment, and keeps 
an account of all money received and paid out by the 
Treasurer. 

Mar-shal.- The Marshal has the general care of the 
highways, streets and sidewalks. He is also authorized to 
abate nuisances. 

Director of Poor. — The Director of Poor must look 
after the poor of the city and provide assistance when 
necessary. 

Ward Officers. — The city is divided into smaller 
divisions, called Wards. In each ward the following officers 
are elected: Supervisor, Constable, Collector, two Aldermen. 

The Supervisor in each ward makes a list of all persons 
liable to be taxed, with a correct valuation of their property. 
The Collector in each ward collects these taxes. 

Constables are required to obey all lawful orders of the 
Mayor, Aldermen and Justices of the Peace. 

Two Aldermen are elected in each ward. The Aldermen 
are members of the Common Council. 

Common Council. — The Mayor and Aldermen consti- 
tute the Common Council. This is the legislative body of 
the city, and has the power to pass such ordinances and regu- 
lations as the interests of the city seem to demand. 

Other Officers. — Certain officers are appointed by the 
Common Council; these are — 

1. City Attorney, who is the legal adviser of the Com- 
mon Council and city officers. 

2. City Surveyor, who makes all official surveys within 
the city limits. 

3. City Physician, who is the medical attendant of the 
poor of the city. 



58 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

4. Highway Commissioners, who repair damages to 
streets, etc., and also see that the streets are kept clean. 

Boards. — In large cities where there is too much busi- 
ness for the ordinary city officers, boards are selected who 
attend to special duties. 

Board of Equalization and Review. — Its members 
are elected by the people. They see that the taxes are prop- 
erly assessed; they also make assessment rolls for street im- 
provements. 

Board of Police and Fire Commissioners. — Members 
are appointed by the Mayor and common council. They 
have the general supervision of the police and fire depart- 
ments. 

Board of Public Works. — Members are appointed by 
the Mayor. They have charge of the public improvements 
of the city, as the building of bridges, improvements of 
water works, grading of streets, etc. 

Board of Health. — Members are appointed. They 
look after the sanitary condition of the city. 

Board of Education. — Its members are elected by the 
people. They have the general supervision of the public 
schools. 

villages. 

A village may be said to occupy a place midway between 
a city and a township. The powers conferred upon a village 
are not as extensive as those conferred upon a city, while, on 
the other hand, a village exercises greater powers than are 
exercised by a township. Villages are smaller than cities and 
are not divided into wards. They are governed by a Presi- 
dent and six trustees. The officers elected in a village are : 
President, Clerk, Treasurer, Street Commissioners, Assessor, 
Constable, and Trustees. 

[Give the powers and duties of each.] 

As cities and villages are incorporated by a special act of 



CIVIL GOVERN.MENT. 59 

the Legislature, they will necessarily vary somewhat in the 
number of their officers, their powers, and the mode of select- 
ing them. In some cities certain officers are elected who in 
other cities are appointed by the Common Council. A copy 
of the city or village charter should be obtained and compar- 
isons made with the foregoing statements. 

RECAPITULATION. 
CITY OFFICERS. 

Mayor. 
Clerk. 
Treasurer. 
Comptroller. 
Executive-! Marshal. 

Street Commissioner. 
Attorney. 
Surveyor. 
L Director of Poor. 
( Justices of the Peace. 
Judicial./ Police Court Judge. 

( Superior Court Judge. 
Legislative — Common Council. 
( Supervisor. 
Ward Officers ■< Constable. 
( Aldermen. 

SECTION IV-ELECTIONS AND TAXES. 

ELECTIONS. 

Elections are held at specified times for the purpose of 
choosing State, district, county, township, city and village 
officers. Severe penalties are enacted for the punishment of 
bribery, tampering with ballots, or ballot-boxes, illegal voting, 
selling and giving away liquor on election day, and all other 
means that have for their object the prevention of a full and 
free expression of the popular will. 

The law provides for three regular elections — 

1. A general election in November. 

2. An April election. 

3. A March election. 



6o GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

Fall Election. — Once in two years, on the Tuesday fol- 
lowing the first Monday in November, a general election is 
held throughout the State, at which the people choose by 
ballot their Governor, Lieutenant-Governor and other State 
officers, members of the Legislature, Representatives in Con- 
gress, and all county officers. The President and Vice-Presi- 
dent are also chosen at this time every four years. 

April Election. — On the first Monday in April, in each 
organized township, village or city, the people elect their city 
and township officers. Judges of the Supreme and Circuit 
Courts, and Regents of the State University are elected at the 
April election. 

March Election, — On the second Monday in March of 
each year occurs the election of village officers. 

Suffrage. — Persons who have the right to vote are called 
electors. To be entitled to vote, a person must be twenty-one 
years of age, and have resided in the State three months, and 
in the township or ward where he offers his vote, the ten days 
next preceding the election. 

Persons born in other countries are called aliens, and 
before they can vote, they must either become citizens, or 
declare their intentions to become citizens. They may vote 
after living in the State two and one-half years, having de- 
clared their intention to become citizens six months previous 
to the election. 

Paupers, insane persons, and idiots are not allowed to 
vote, since they are not capable of acting for themselves. 
Criminals cannot vote during their imprisonment. 

Boards. — Certain Boards are designated by law to super- 
intend the registration of voters, and to receive and canvass- 
the votes cast for the various officers. These are — 
Boards of Registration. 
Inspectors of Election. 
County Canvassers. 

4. District Canvassers. 

5. State Canvassers. 
[What are the duties of each ?] 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 6 1 

Registration. — Every voter is required by law to have 
his name properly registered in the election district in which 
he resides, before he is permitted to vote. Previous to an 
election, the proper officers meet to record the names of all 
qualified voters who present themselves for registration. 

TAXES. 

Money is necessary to pay the ordinary expenses of 
municipal, township, county and state governments, and the 
salaries of officers ; to erect public buildings, establish and 
repair roads, build bridges and school houses, support schools, 
etc. For this purpose taxes are levied in such a way that each 
one pays in proportion to the value of his property. 

How Taxes are Levied. — An estimate is made by the 
proper officers of the amount of money required. They then 
sum up the estimates made by the assessors of the value of 
the property liable to be taxed. From these data they ascer- 
tain the percentage of tax that must be collected from each 
person. 

Property Exempt from Taxation. — Certain property is 
not subject to taxation. This includes United States property; 
state, county, township, city and village* property; certain 
property of individuals; churches and school houses, and the 
property of all benevolent, charitable and scientific institu- 
tions. 

Time of Collection. — The time fixed for the collection 
of taxes begins in the month ot December of each year. At 
that time it is the duty of every person owning taxable prop- 
erty to go to the proper officer and pay the tax. It is not the 
duty of the officer to demand it. 

If a person refuses or neglects to pay his taxes, as much 
of his property is sold as is necessary to pay them. 

If taxes are not paid before the first of January, four per 
cent, is added for collection dues. 



PART v.— HISTORY. 

Michigan derives its name from the two Chippewa words, 
Mitchaw, great, and Lagiegan, lake, which signify, the country 
of the great lakes. This is a very appropriate name, since 
Michigan is almost surrounded by lakes, and contains more 
than 5,000 smaller interior ones. 

The aborigines of Michigan were Indians, of whom most 
in the southern peninsula were Ottawas and Potawatamies, 
and in the northern peninsula were Chippewas and Menom- 
inees. It is an interesting fact to us, that every spring after 
the hunt, large numbers of Indians from all over the State 
met in the valley of the Owashtanong, which is now Grand 
River, and held their annual feast or pow-pow. 

MICHIGAN UNDER FRENCH RULE, 161O-1760. 

Michigan was visited as early as 1610 by French mission- 
aries and fur traders of Canada, though no settlements were 
made at that time.^ 

First Settlements. — In 1641, the first bark canoe laden 
with French Jesuits, paddled through the Ottawa River to the 
Falls of Ste. Marie. The first permanent white settlement in 
Michigan, of which there exists any authentic account, was 
made in 1668, by Father Marquette, the brave missionary and 
explorer, who founded a mission at Sault-de-Ste-Marie for the 
purpose of converting the Indians. 

In 167 1, Father Marquette founded the mission of St. 
Ignatius or St. Ignace, on the north side of the Straits of 
Michilimackinac, and soon after Fort Mackinac was estab- 
lished on the south side of the Straits. 

In 1679, LaSalle, a famous explorer, sailed through the 
great lakes in the Griffin, the first vessel that ever passed 
through them; and established Fort St. Joseph at the mouth of 
the St. Joseph river. 



HISTORY. 63 

Detroit, the most important of all the early settlements, 
was founded in 1701, by a French priest named La Motte 
Cadillac. The actual settlement of Michigan, for the purpose 
of colonization and civil government, dates from this time. 

Forts were established by the French traders for the pur- 
pose of exchanging goods with the Indians for furs. The 
French missionaries established missions or churches near 
the trading posts, where they preached to the Indians. All 
the forts and missions were rude buildings of logs, in most 
cases surrounded by a stockade. The inhabitants were sol- 
diers, workingmen and priests, sent out by the French to 
build up the trading posts. 

The labors of the French missionaries in these wild 
regions added much to the knowledge of the geography of the 
country, and their religious teachings, no doubt, did much to 
soften'the savage nature of the Indians. Father Marquette 
was one of the most noted of these early missionaries. After 
establishing the settlement in Michigan, he explored the 
Mississippi River to the mouth of the Arkansas. He returned 
by the way of the Illinois River, where he stopped to preach 
to the Indians. They wished him to remain with them, but 
his strength was failing and he hurried towards home. He 
died at the mouth of the Pere Marquette River and was buried 
on its banks by his Indian guides. Two years later his body 
was removed to Point St. Ignace by a party of his Indian 
converts. 

French and Indian War, 1754-1760. — During the whole 
period of French control, extending from the first settlement 
of the country down to the year 1760, the northwest territory 
was a vast ranging ground for the numerous tribes of Indians 
that roamed over it in savage independence. It was the 
theater for most of the important military operations of the 
French soldiers at the west, and for the Jesuit missionaries 
who strove to gain the influence of the red men in behalf of 
their government as well as their church by converting them 
to the Catholic faith. 



64 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

Both the French and British in many places laid claim 
to the same territory, and quarrels arose which finally resulted 
in the French and Indian War. so-called because the French 
and Indians fought together against the British. The British 
were victorious, and, in 1760, the French were obliged to give 
up to them all their trading posts along the lakes (Ste. Marie, 
Mackinac and St. Joseph). 

The territory had belonged to France for 150 years, and 
had been the sites of missions for 90 years. During all these 
years the colonists had been loyal to France. The Indians 
had profited by the skill of their neighbors and could in times 
ot peace raise sufficient food, and their other needs were sup- 
plied through the barter of furs. A hundred years had done 
less to settle and improve the country than is now often 
accomplished by some little colony in Dakota during a single 
year. It was the end of French rule, and it had proved fatal 
to all real progress. 

MICHIGAN UNDER BRITISH RULE, 1760-1796. 

The British had possession of Michigan from 1760 until 
1796, although by the treaty at the close of the War of the 
Revolution (17S3) it had been ceded to the United States 
The change of possession intensified the hostility of the sav- 
age. The British were haughty and overbearing, and showed 
plainly that they felt no friendship for the Indians. 

The French traders had kept their eager desire for wealth 
within bounds, so as to retain the good will of the Indians; 
and some of the new traders were disposed to deal fairly. 
But others of the British, to use the words ot Parkman, the 
historian, ''were ruffians of the coarsest stamp, who vied with 
each other in rapacity, violence and profligacy. They 
cheated, plundered and cursed the Indians, and outraged their 
families, offering, when compared with the French traders who 
were under better regulation, a most unfavorable example of 
the character of their nation." 

The result can readily be forseen: The Indians had been 



HISTORY. 65 

the natural ally of the French, and both were ready to do any- 
thing to restore French dominion. 

In 1763, with Pontiac for a leader, the Indians formed a 
plan to drive all the British from the country. 

PoNTiAC's War, 1763. — Pontiac was one of the most 
noted Indians in the history of Michigan. He was remarkable 
for his shrewdness and bravery, and for his influence over his 
tribe. He was an effecti\'e speaker, and a bold and crafty 
warrior, and was well fitted in every way to be the leader in 
the uprising against the English. 

He was an Ottawa chief and formerly an ally of the 
French. His home was about eight miles above Detroit. 
Possessed of savage strength and energy, greatly esteemed by 
both French and English, and having greater influence than 
any other individual among the lake tribes, this daring chief 
prepared to dispute the British claims to the territory of the 
lakes. 

Pontiac's plan was to attack all the British posts west of 
the Alleghany mountains at about the same time. The 
Indians were to massacre all the soldiers at the garrisons, and 
thus, at a single stroke, they hoped to rid themselves of the 
people whom they hated. The plan included a line of trading 
posts scattered from Niagara to Chicago, twelve in all, three 
of which (St. Joseph, Michilimackinac and Detroit) were in 
Michigan. Pontiac appointed different chiefs to lead the 
attacks on the several posts, reserving the attack on Detroit 
for himself. 

Detroit, May 7, 1763. Pontiac's first attack on Detroit 
was a failure, because the plan of the attack had been 
betrayed to the commander of the fort by an Indian girl- 
The Indians entered the fort as though to make a friendly 
visit and were, to all appearances, unarmed, having con- 
cealed their weapons under their blankets. It had been 
a;-ranged that Pontiac should make a speech to Major Glad- 
wyn, and in the midst of it give a signal to his warriors who 



66 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

were to strike down all the officers of the fort, and then the 
massacre was to be continued by the bands of savages who 
were waiting outside the fort. When the Indians entered the 
fort they found the soldiers armed and on their guard, so 
Pontiac made a very brief speech, expressing great friendli- 
ness toward the English and then he and his followers with- 
drew. 

Two days later the Indians began a siege of Detroit 
which lasted from early May until October. Towards the 
end of October the provisions in the fort became nearly ex- 
hausted, but a scarcity arose among the Indians at about the 
same time and they were obliged to raise the siege and go on 
their annual hunt. 

St. Joseph, May 25, 1763 — Fort St. Joseph was held 
by fifteen men. In May a band of Potawatamies gained 
admission to the fort, through pretended friendship, afld 
massacred all except the commander and three men. 

MiCHiLiiMACKiNAc, JuNE 2, 1 763. — Mackinac was taken 
by strategem. The Indians began a game of balk outside the 
fort, and when the soldiers had become interested in watch- 
ing the game, the ball was thrown inside the stockade appar- 
ently by mistake. The players rushed after it and once inside, 
were furnished with weapons by squaws, who had strolled fnto 
the fort with the tomahawks hidden under their blankets. 
More than half the soldiers of the garrison were massacred 
and the rest taken prisoners. 

During the six months that followed the- attacks on the 
forts, hundreds of families were murdered or driven from 
their homes. At the end of that time more British troops 
arrived and put an end to the war. Pontiac fled to Illinois 
where he was assassinated by an Indian who, it is said, had 
been bribed by a British trader to commit the deed for a 
barrel of whisky. 

On account of the Indian troubles the condition of Mich- 
igan did not improve tor a long time. There were no roads 



HISTORY. 67 ' 

except along the river below Detroit, and little was known of 
the interior except to the fur traders and the Indians. 

The Revolutionary War, 1775-1783. — The Revolu- 
tionary war broke out in 1775, but Michigan, on account of 
her remote position, took no part in it. No battles were 
fought within her boundaries, although there was some 
trouble on the frontier. The war lasted for eight years, and 
at the end of that time the independence of the United States 
was acknowledged by England. The British, however, held 
many of the forts until 1796, when Michigan was given over 
to the United States, and included in what is known as the 
Northwest Territory. 

MICHIGAN UNDER AMERICAN RULE, 1796-1813. 

The territory northwest of the Ohio river was claimed by 
several of the eastern states, on the ground that it was includ- 
ed within the limits indicated by their charters from the 
English Crown. These states patriotically surrendered their 
claims to the territory, to aid in the payment of the national 
debt. 

In 1787 a government was organized for this region, which 
received the name Northwest Territory. It embraced the 
present states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and 
Michigan. 

The settlement of Michigan up to this time had advanced 
but slowly, and it was long after this district came into the 
possession of the United States, before its character was 
materially changed. No roads had as yet been constructed 
through the interior, nor were there any settlements except 
on the frontier. The habits of the people were military, and 
but little attention was paid to agriculture, except by the 
French peasantry. 

In 1800 the Northwest Territory was divided into two 
territories, the one retaining the name Northwest Territory, 
the other receiving the name of Indiana Territory. The 
former embraced the eastern half and the latter the western 



68 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

half of Michigan, the dividing line, north and south, passing 
near Mackinac. At this time Detroit contained about three 
hundred houses. The only cultivated lands were contained 
in a strip three miles wide, bordering on the Detroit river and 
the lakes, except a few hundred acres about Mackinac. More 
than three-fourths of the population were French, and Catho- 
lics in religion. Two-thirds were males. 

In 1S03, Ohio was admitted to the Union, and all of 
Michigan became a part of Indiana Territory, and so contin- 
ued until 1805, when it was organized as a separate territory, 
with Detroit as the seat of government. 

President Jefferson appointed General Wm. Hull Gov- 
ernor of the Territory, and he reached Detroit July i, 1805. 
He was an officer of the Revolution, but at the age of fifty-two 
was entirely unfitted for the duties required on the western 
frontier. 

Just before the arrival of Governor Hull, the little town 
of Detroit had been entirely consumed by fire. The people 
were encamped in the fields with scanty food and little shelter, 
but they were not discouraged by the misfortune which had 
befallen them, and at once began to rebuild the city. In 
rebuilding, the city was laid out on the handsome and exten- 
sive plan which has since been carried out. 

War of 181 2. — After Pontiac's war there was no serious 
trouble with the Indians for nearly fifty years, or until the year 
181 1. In the latter part of that year the tribes again united 
with Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief, for their leader. The 
Indians had been roused to war by British agents, who wished 
to have their help in the war which was threatened between 
England and the United States. Tecumseh's plan was similar 
to Pontiac's: to simultaneously attack the forts and to unite 
the tribes from New York to the Mississippi. When the 
Americans learned that Tecumseh was planning to attack 
their forts, they collected troops in Ohio and put them under 
the command of General Hull. They started to march to 



HISTORY. 69 

Detroit, and while on their way received news from Washing- 
ton that war had been declared between England and the 

United States. This was the war of 181 2. 

The Americans deciding to invade Canada, General Hull 
crossed the Detroit River and began making preparations to 
attack some of the Canadian forts. In the midst ot his 
preparations, he learned that the British and Indians were 
planning an attack upon his forces, and he hastily retreated to 
Detroit. 

Surrender of Detroit, 181 2. — Detroit was attacked by 
the British and Indians under Generals Brock and Tecumseh. 
As the British marched to attack the fort, the Americans 
expected every instant the order to fire, but General Hull 
seemed to loose all presence of mind. While his men, it is 
said, wept at the disgrace, he raised the white flag and sur- 
rendered to the British. This was a surrender not of Detroit 
alone, but of the whole of Michigan. 

General Hull was accused of treason, cowardice and 
criminal neglect of duty. He was acquitted of the first charge, 
but convicted of the second and third, and sentenced to be 
shot. He was pardoned, however, by the President of the 
United States, in consideraiion of his services during the 
Revolutionary War. 

The recovery of Detroit was effected by the brave Com- 
modore Perry, and Tecumseh was slain not long after in the 
Battle of the Thames. 

Tecumseh possessed a noble figure and was distinguished 
by moral traits above his race. He acquired unbounded influ- 
ence, and placed himself far above all others as a champion 
of Indian rights. During the last years of his life he was 
almost constantly at the head of warlike bands, and he sank 
at last on the field of glory with tomahawk in hand and the 
cry of battle on his lips. With the death of Tecumseh, the 
confederacy dissolved and peace was concluded with the var- 
ious tribes. 

The island of Mackinac remained in possession of the 



70 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

British until the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent, in 
1815. 

. MICHIGAN TERRITORY UNDER GOVERNOR CASS, 1813-183I. 

On the surrender of Detroit, Colonel Lewis Cass, with 
his regiment, had been left in charge of the post. In 1813 
he was appointed Governor, and Michigan Territory now 
began a new existence, and advanced greatly in prosperity. 

Governor Cass was a native of New Hampshire, and at 
the age of seventeen he had settled at Marietta, Ohio. After 
receiving a liberal education he had become a lawyer, had 
been a member of the Legislature, and Marshal of the State 
of Ohio. He had served with courage and success through 
the war. Above all, from habits and training, he was familiar 
with the needs of the people. No man in the Northwest was 
better qualified to deal with the Indian. Under him, the 
Government acquired, by various treaties, all lands south of 
Grand river to the headwaters of Thunder Bay river, as well 
as such as were required to make the posts at Mackinac and 
elsewhere safe for the future. 

The British had offered few inducements for immigra- 
tion, and thus far the beautiful oak openings along the Kala- 
mazoo, the fertile tracts along the Grand river, the prairies 
of the St. Joseph and the slopes along the banks of Lake 
Michigan were traversed only by the wild beast and tb*- 
savage. 

With the introduction of steam navigation upon the 
inland seas, a new era commenced. This was in 181 8, 
when "Walk-in-the-Water" made its appearance at Detroit, 
and passed up to Mackinac the next year. The savages 
were made to believe that it was drawn by a team of trained 
sturgeons. 

The population of Michigan at this time (1820) was 
8,896. The settlers extended themselves along the banks of 
the rivers Raisin, Huron and St. Clair, and cleared the forests 
from the spots where now stand the towns of Ann Arbor, 
Ypsilanti, Pontiac, Jackson and Tecumseh. 



HISTORY. 71 

The first printing press was brought to the territory in 
1809, and a little paper called the "Michigan Essay and 
Impartial Observer" started, but it had a brief existence. In 
181 7 the "Detroit Gazette" was begun, followed soon after by 
■other journals at Ann Arbor, Monroe and Pontiac. 

"The great event of the period, however, and that which 
had most to do with giving sudden impetus to the growth of 
Michigan, and bringing to it the population that shortly had 
planted settlements and reared churches and school houses 
all through its central and southern parts, was the opening in 
1825 of the Erie Canal. It was not long after this before 
steamers were abundant on the lakes; no less than seven on 
Lake Erie in 1826, and four years thereafter a daily line was 
running between Detroit and Buffalo."* 

In 1830 the population had risen to 31,639, and the ter- 
ritory was self-supporting. 

In 1 83 1 Governor Cass was called to the cabinet of 
Presit'ent Jackson, and resigned the position of Governor 
which he had so ably filled for eighteen years. 

The people began to talk of the coming State. The 
stream of immigration continued to pour in, the major part 
coming from New England, New York and Ohio, and in 1832 
the State had more than 60,000, the number required to 
entitle a territory to admission as a state; but other matters 
demanded attention, and it was not until after the census 
of 1834, which showed a population of 87,278, that Con- 
gress was memorialized to set off the western territory from 
Michigan. 

In April, 1835, a state convention agreed upon a consti- 
tution and the people approved of it in October. 

TOLEDO WAR, 1835-1837. 

This action excited a boundary controversy with Ohio 
which threatened serious consequences. The dispute is 

♦Cooley. 



72 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 

called the Toledo War, because the strip of land in question* 
took in part of the Maumee River and Bay where the city of 
Toledo now stands. So much excitement prevailed that both 
parties sent a military force to the disputed frontier and sev- 
eral shots were exchanged, but there was no bloodshed. 

Congress decided in favor of Ohio, and gave to Michigan 
what is now the Upper Peninsula, whose wealth at that time 
was unknown. 

Michigan was admitted in 1837, and Stevens T. Mason 
was elected the first Governor. The existing laws were 
reframed, new laws were enacted and a plan of public instruc- 
tion was adopted for the diffusion of education among the 
people. 

In 1847, the seat of government was changed from Detroit 
to Lansing. 

MICHIGAN IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

The action of Michigan during the late civil war was 
highly creditable to her patriotism. She sent to the field 
90,747 able-bodied men, or more than one-ninth of her popu- 
lation. During the four years of the war, 357 commissioned 
officers and 14,466 enlisted men fell in defence of their 
country. 

From the beginning to the close of the war, Michigan 
troops bore the reputation of being among the bravest and 
best disciplined in the army ; and there were very few of the 
more important engagements where Michigan troops were not 
present, and where her regiments were not conspicuous for the 
efficient aid they rendered. 

The State, counties, towns and cities paid during the war 
for bounties, for premiums, for recruits, for relief of soldiers, 
families and other war purposes, ;^i6,548,992, besides liberal 
appropriations by the State and numerous gifts by the citizens 
for 'disabled, wounded and destitute soldiers. And since the 

* The disputed territory was about five miles in widtli at the west and eight miles at 
the east end. 



HISTORY. 73 

war, the State has shown its gratitude to the soldiers by erect- 
ing, for those who need it, a Soldiers Home, where destitute 
survivors may be cared for. 

RANK OF MICHIGAN AMONG THE STATES, 1880. 

The following table gives the rank of Michigan among 
the States according to the census of i8So: 

RANK 

Area in square miles, 58,915 n 

Area of land surface, 5 7,430 11 

Area of water surface, 1,485 12 

Population, 1,636,937. (In IS84, 1,853,658) 9 

Density of population, 26.5 per square mile 17 

Native born population, 1,248,429 16 

Foreign born population, 388,508 7 

Indian population, 7,240 3 

Males of voting age (21 and over), 467,687 8 

Teachers in schools, 8,608 8 

Pupils attending schools, 362,459 8 

Value of school property, $8,982, 344 8 

Outlay for school purposes, $3, 112,468 8 

Persons over 10 years unable to read, 47,112 7 

Number of families, 336,973 8 

Average number in a family, 4.86 30 

Persons to a square mile, 28.5 21 

Number of pounds of butter made, 38,82 1,890 6 

Number of pounds of wool, 1 1,858,497 3 

Number of bushels of wheat, 35,532,543 4 

Number of bushels of corn, 32,461,452 12 

Number of bushels of oats, 18, 190,793 9 

Number of bushels of barley, 1,204,316 9 

Number of bushels of rye, 294,918 15 

Number of bushels of buckwheat, 413,062 4 

Number of bushels of potatoes, 10,924,1 1 1 4 

Number of pounds or hops, 266,010 4 

Number of sheep, 2,189,389 4 

Number of horses, 378,778 10 



74 GEOGRAPHY OF MICHIGAN. 



c 



^/^ 



Value ot copper mined, $7,979,232 i 

Value of iron ore mined, $6,034,648 i 

Value of salt, $2,271,913 i 

Value of lumber, $52,449,928 i 

Annual mortality 7 



